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>> George
>>
>> Sorry you do not endorse my paraphrase ;-) Googled filters today, and
>> a maker of fine optics, Schneider, used the same analogy (albeit a
>> better explanation--a picket fence:
>
Ken wrote

> Bill,
> If you have 3 polarizers you can easily see how the picket fence analogy
> fails. Simply line up 2 filters with a space between them. Rotate one until
> you
> get maximum darkening (here the axes of polarization are at 90? to each
> other). Now insert the 3rd polarizer in between the other two. Suddenly light
> passes through all three! How could the middle polarizer change the
> orientation of the other two "picket fences"?

Ken

By some odd coincidence, there are three polarizing filters on my desk ;-)
I tried your experiment.  Depending on the orientation of the (inserted)
middle filter, it can reduce the light loss significantly.  Not being a
believer in creating light without some form of energy being introduced into
the system, or present energy becoming light, and having had no photographic
reason to stack three filters, I am at a loss to explain.

Please note I stated several areas of concern/areas for exploration
regarding my thoughts on the topic. Added to that list, would the above
experiment yield similar results if the filters did not have a space between
them?

Another portion of my message not quoted, "I am out of my depth on
this one, not knowing the scale of light waves vs. openings and spacing of
the openings.  Perhaps one of our physics mavens can address that?"

One more question, Just how the h-ll can that work? Please elucidate me/us.

Bill

   

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