/ edmundsj
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Waveplates, along with polarizers, are one of the most important optical elements - they allow the transformation of light from linear to circular polarization, and for the swapping of x- and y-polarized components of light. In this video, I describe the basics of birifringence, and how refractive index can depend on polarization, and then what the jones matrix of quarter- and half- waveplates are.
This is part of my graduate series on optoelectronics / photonics, and is based primarily on Coldren's book on Lasers as well as graduate-level coursework I have taken in the EECS department at UC Berkeley.
Hope you found this video helpful, please post in the comments below anything I can do to improve future videos, or suggestions you have for future videos.