Abstract
FOR, the construction of colour filters Christiansen1 had the idea of using scattering to attenuate unwanted wave-lengths. He used a finely divided isotropic scatterer in an isotropic medium to achieve partial monochromatization. One of us (A. N. F.), in connexion with a Science Fair project on these filters, suggested the use as a scatterer of a bundle of parallel transparent birefringent fibres immersed in an isotropic medium the refractive index of which matched one of the refractive indices of the fibres. Light vibrating in a direction characterized by this index will then be transmitted unattenuated by scattering. A Patent Office search reveals a number of patents involving scattering to attenuate unwanted components2. However, there seems to be no recognition of this method of achieving polarized light in the scientific literature. These patents seem to have been largely overlooked.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Christiansen, C., Ann. Phys. Chem., 23, 298 (1884); 24, 439 (1885).
Schupp, jun., O. E., U.S. Patent No. 2,604,817 (July 29, 1952). Land, E. H., No. 2,123,901 (July 19, 1938); 2,123,902 (July 19, 1938). Bailey, E. D., and Brubaker, M. M., No. 2,246,087 (June 17, 1941).
Autrum, H., and Stumpf, H., Z. Naturforsch., 5 b, 118 (1950). Baylor, E. R., and Smith, F. E., Amer. Nat., 87, 97 (1953). Frisch, K. von, Experientia, 5, 142 (1949). Stephens, G. C., Fingerman, M., and Brown, F. A., Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer., 46, 75 (1953). Waterman, T. H., Science, 111, 252 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FANKUCHEN, A., FANKUCHEN, I. Detection of Polarization by Biological Organisms. Nature 182, 1372 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/1821372a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1821372a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.