The question this article will answer is: how do polarized sunglass lenses work? In , a French physicist and mathematician by the name of Etienne-Louis Malus discovered that light waves from the sun, which usually vibrate in all directions, can be aligned in one direction when reflected off something.
One way to understand this is to think of light like a knuckleball. But if the bat connects solidly, the ball will go soaring back out, spinning gracefully without any of that erratic motion. In the same way, light that is reflected off a horizontal surface loses its erratic motion and travels in one concentrated beam in a horizontal motion. This is what we perceive as glare. But if you turn the mattress upright, it can pass through the doorway without any issue.
When the polarization axis is vertical, all light that has been polarized through reflection and is now traveling horizontally such as the glare off of water or a windshield , will be blocked by the filter.
If you were to take 2 of these filters and cross them perpendicular to one another, less light would pass through. The filter with a horizontal axis will block vertical light, and the vertical axis will block horizontal light. You can also verify whether your lenses are polarized by holding them in front of a back-lit LCD screen. As you turn the lens, it should become darker. This is because LCD screens use crystal filters that can rotate the polarization axis of light as it passes through. This article explores how polarized lenses work, their benefits, their potential drawbacks and where to buy them.
When a bundle of light hits a flat surface, it becomes polarized, or is reflected horizontally. The bundle becomes concentrated and is blinding anyone observing it. This is referred to as blinding glare. These reflections can be uniform, which is light reflected from a smooth service. They can also be non-uniform, which is light reflected from an uneven surface. An example of this would be light reflected off running water or a patch of ice on the road.
No matter what the case, the desired result is to filter out the distracting reflected light and provide a clear viewing experience for the wearer. During the manufacturing process, a special chemical is applied to an eyeglass lens to polarize it. The chemical is laminated in a vertical pattern, which reorganizes light. This pattern blocks the light that is horizontal to eliminate glare, which is similar to how a window blind works.
The chemical filter on polarized sunglasses removes glare by absorbing the incoming horizontal light, while still allowing vertical light. What we perceived as glare is usually reflected horizontal light. The horizontal light that creates the effect of glare is absorbed and nullified by the chemical film on polarized lenses. The lenses only allow in vertical light, acting as a chemical venetian blind. Polarized sunglasses are nearly essential for boaters and fishermen, because of the intense glare created by light reflecting off the water.
However, they are also very helpful for outdoorsman, athletes, golfers, bikers, and anyone else who spends a lot of time outdoors. Additionally, polarized lenses help reduce eye stress for professional drivers who spend many hours on the road; light reflecting off the road and other cars can cause the effect of glare.
How Do Polarized Sunglasses Work? Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Prev NEXT. Everyday Innovations. By: Jeff Tyson. A polarized filter passes only the light that does not match its orientation. Cite This! Print Citation.
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