Polarization of Waves
The Main Idea
There are three main types of wave polarization. A wave is polarized when two electromagnetic waves are traveling co-linearly and the electric field components are perpendicular to each other.
Linear Polarization
Most natural light is linearly polarized. The polarization shape is described by the electric field vector. In the case of a basic electromagnetic wave, as shown to the right, the electric field vector points up and down vertically as the wave travels.
Circular Polarization
Light which is polarized circularly consists of two perpendicular electromagnetic waves. In this case, show to the right, there are two electric fields which are perpendicular to each other (the illustration does not show the magnetic fields). These electric fields have equal amplitude but have a phase shift of 90 degrees. This creates an electric field vector which moves in a circle as the wave travels.
Elliptical Polarization
Elliptical polarization is very similar to circular polarization. In this case, shown to the right, the electric fields are still perpendicular and of the same amplitude. The difference is that the electric fields do not have equal amplitudes. Therefore the electric field vector creates an elliptical shape as the wave progresses - due to the changing magnitude and direction.
Mathematical Models
Linear Model
Circular Model
Elliptical Model
Examples
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Simple
Middling
Difficult
Application
Electromagnetic polarization is a fundamental concept of light. Anything we see with our eyes is affected by the polarization of light. Most people are familiar with polarized sunglasses which reduce glare from reflected light, but there are many other applications. Three dimensional movie projections use polarized filters on two projectors and polarized glasses to show a single perspective to each eye. Polarized filters are also used to analyse stress in plastics. Shining light through filters and the plastic displays color bands describing the plastic's structure. The technology is also used in geology. Geologists use microscopes with polarized lenses which allow them to identify different types of materials. Polarization is used in analyzing cosmic radiation as well. Scientists use this information to study the early universe.
History
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See also
Further reading
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
External links
References
http://www.slideshare.net/pabitadhungel321/polarization-and-its-application
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_polarization
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/315/Waves/node50.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/polclas.html