Polarization of electromagnetic waves refers to the direction in which they oscillate, perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s propagation.
- Polarization can be induced in light waves by various means, such as reflection, refraction, and scattering.
- There are several types of polarization, including circular, elliptical and plane polarization.
- Circular polarization refers to waves that rotate in circles as they propagate, with the electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other.
- Elliptical polarization combines linear and circular polarization, in which the wave oscillates in an elliptical pattern.
- Plane polarization (sometimes called linear polarization) refers to waves that oscillate in a single plane, such as waves that are vertically or horizontally polarized.