Saturday, November 20, 2021
What do LCD monitors and sunglasses have in common? They both use polarisers, a filter that blocks light waves travelling in specific directions! In this session, we will make secret art using light. Learn about light polarization and how light is used in modern technologies, like LCD screens and lasers.
Preparation: LCD monitor (any computer screen works), polarizing sunglasses (Dollarama sunglasses are not polarizing) or 3D movie glasses (modern, not red and blue), transparent tape (not “invisible tape”), transparent surface (old CD case, photo frame, Ziploc bag, or transparent Tupperware). Optional: camera to take pictures of your secret art. Tip: Test to see if your sunglasses are polarizing by looking through them at a phone screen. You should see different colours as you tilt your head.
Experts: Irene Melgarejo Lermas, John Donohue, Kimia Mohammadi, and Sarah Meng Li from the Institute of Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo.
