A polarizer is a filter that allows only light waves of a precise polarization to pass through while at the same time blocking out light waves of additional polarizations. These filters can filter light of mixed or undefined polarization into a ray of well-defined light; polarized light. Mostpolarizers are used in various optical practices and instruments, and polarizing filters are used in photography and LCD technology.
Chemical applied
Lenses that are polarized have a chemical that is applied to them so that some light is filtered out. The molecules in the chemicals line up mainly to stop some of the light passing through the lens. An example could be a miniblind hanging in the front of a window with only light that passes through openings in the blinds can be seen.
Sunglasses
With polarized sunglasses, the filter produces vertical openings for light. So only the light that reaches the eye vertically can fit through such openings. Horizontal light waves bouncing off a smooth surface such as a just cleaned shiny car hood are the ones that are blocked.
Not advised
There are some instances where these sunglasses are not advised – these include:
- Dashboard controls
- ATM cash machines
- Cell phones
- Some watches
Sunglasses that are labeled for blocking sun’s UV rays do not mean they are polarized. Polarized lenses will be labeled.
Polarized film
Many types of polarizing films are sold on many websites on the internet. 3D polarizer film is used in many applications such as:
- Radio waves
- Microwaves
- X-rays
There are many types of polarizing film including:
- Linear Polarizer Film
- Circular Polarizer Film
- LCD Polarizer Film
- Dye Type Polarizer Film
- Reflective Polarizer Film
More information
For further information on this subject there are many websites such as 3Dlens.com to gain a better understanding of polarized films and its uses.