Question

Can reflection result in plane polarised light if the light is incident on the interface from the side with higher refractive index?

Answer 1

Step 1: Draw a rough diagram:


Step 2: Compare polarisation angle with critical angle for large angles.

Given,
${\mu }_2<{\mu }_1$

Polarisation by reflection occurs when the angle of incidence is the Brewster's angle.
$\tan {\theta }_B=\frac{{\mu }_2}{{\mu }_1}$
Where ${\theta }_B=\text{Polarisation angle}$

When the light rays travel in such a medium, the critical angle is,
$\sin i_c=\frac{{\mu }_2}{{\mu }_1}$

$i_c=\text{critical angle}$.
As $\left|\tan {\theta }_B\right|>\left|\sin i_c\right|$ for large angles, ${\theta }_B<i_c$

Therefore, the polarisation by reflection occurs.

Final Answer: polarisation by reflection shall definitely occur.