Watching 3D movies, doing a "physical examination" on food... all rely on it! What is "light" so powerful?

Polarized light, a seemingly simple optical phenomenon, contains infinite mysteries. It not only has important applications in scientific research, but also quietly integrates into our daily life, bringing us a more convenient and wonderful world. Today, let us explore the wonderful applications of polarized light in daily life!

1. Sunglasses: block glare and protect your eyes

Did you know that the lenses of sunglasses are not simply tinted? Their core secret lies in polarization.

Polarizers can effectively filter out scattered glare and only allow light in a specific direction to pass through, thereby reducing the burden on the eyes and making the field of vision clearer and more comfortable. This is why we can feel a significant improvement in vision after wearing sunglasses.

2. LCD display: gorgeous pictures, at your fingertips

We use electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers every day, and the secrets of polarized light are hidden behind their display screens.

In a liquid crystal display, each pixel is made up of tiny liquid crystal molecules. When light hits the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization of the light is controlled, thereby changing the amount of light transmitted through each pixel. Through precise control, we can see colorful images.

3. Photography: Capture the highlights and show the details

Photography enthusiasts know that polarizing filters are an indispensable tool in photographic equipment. They can filter out the reflections on the water surface, making the sea surface clearer; they can also adjust the color of the sky, making the picture more gorgeous.

The working principle of polarizing filters is similar to that of sunglasses, both of which use polarizers to control the polarization direction of light. By choosing polarizing filters in different directions, different effects can be achieved, adding more possibilities to photographic creation.

4. Food testing: rapid identification, safety assurance

In the field of food safety, polarized light technology also plays an important role. Using polarized light scattering technology, the quality and freshness of food can be quickly detected. For example, by observing the polarized light scattering image on the surface of fruit, it can be determined whether the fruit is ripe or rotten.

In addition, polarized light technology can also be used to detect whether there are foreign objects or contaminants in food to ensure our food safety.

5. 3D glasses: stereoscopic vision, immersive

In recent years, 3D movies have become increasingly popular, and 3D glasses use polarized light technology to achieve stereoscopic visual effects.

The left and right lenses of 3D glasses use polarizers in different directions. The images on the movie screen have also been specially processed, and the images seen by the left and right eyes are slightly different. When wearing 3D glasses, the polarizers of the left and right eyes will filter out unnecessary images, allowing us to see a three-dimensional image with a three-dimensional sense.

Source: Chongqing Radio Science Popularization Experience Center

Audit expert: Zhang Qiyi

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