Calculate the Brewster angle at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a surface.
Input Parameters
Calculation Results
Enter refractive indices to calculate
About this calculator
Quick Reference
n1Refractive index of medium 1
n2Refractive index of medium 2
θ_BBrewster's Angle
Total PolarizationReflected light is 100% polarized
Overview
Brewster's angle (also known as the polarization angle) is an angle of incidence at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a transparent dielectric surface, with no reflection.
💡
Pro Tips
n1 is the refractive index of the medium light is coming FROM.
n2 is the refractive index of the medium light is going TO.
At Brewster's angle, the reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each other.
!
Fun Facts
"Polarized sunglasses use this principle to block glare from horizontal surfaces like water or roads."
"It was discovered by the Scottish physicist Sir David Brewster in 1811."
"Lasers often use Brewster windows to allow a light beam to enter or exit a gas tube without loss."
