Calculate the thickness d of a slab of Calcite needed to produce circularly
polarized light from a linearly polarized 650nm red light source. Assume
the refractive index for y polarized light is ny = 1.654 and the refractive
index for x polarized light is nx = 1.484. As shown in the diagram, the
incident light beam is normal to the Calcite surface. The E-field vector of
the source is 45° to the optical axis.
(Hint: the exiting x-polarized and y-polarized waves must be 90° out of
phase)

Question

Calculate the thickness d of a slab of Calcite needed to produce circularly 
polarized light from a linearly polarized 650nm red light source. Assume 
the refractive index for y polarized light is ny = 1.654 and the refractive 
index for x polarized light is nx = 1.484. As shown in the diagram, the 
incident light beam is normal to the Calcite surface. The E-field vector of 
the source is 45° to the optical axis. 
(Hint: the exiting x-polarized and y-polarized waves must be 90° out of 
phase)