Close

Search

Search Menu
Photonics Media Photonics Buyers' Guide Photonics EDU Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics EuroPhotonics Industrial Photonics Photonics Showcase Photonics ProdSpec Photonics Handbook
EDU.photonics.com
ABOUT US
BOOKSTORE
SUBSCRIBE
ADVERTISE
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube RSS
More News
Photonics Dictionary

polarization

With respect to light radiation, the restriction of the vibrations of the magnetic or electric field vector to a single plane. In a beam of electromagnetic radiation, the polarization direction is the direction of the electric field vector (with no distinction between positive and negative as the field oscillates back and forth). The polarization vector is always in the plane at right angles to the beam direction. Near some given stationary point in space the polarization direction in the beam can vary at random (unpolarized beam), can remain constant (plane-polarized beam), or can have two coherent plane-polarized elements whose polarization directions make a right angle. In the latter case, depending on the amplitude of the two waves and their relative phase, the combined electric vector traces out an ellipse and the wave is said to be elliptically polarized. Elliptical and plane polarizations can be converted into each other by means of birefringent optical systems.
See Also
Related Articles

Products & Suppliers
Related Categories

EDUCATION NEWS
from Photonics Media

view all
POPULAR ARTICLES

HELPFUL TOOLS
EVENTS & COURSES
from Photonics Media
FEB
25
W3+ Fair/Convention 2019 Wetzlar
Wetzlar, Germany
MAR
3
OFC 2019
San Diego, CA, United States
OFC, The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition, presents the latest advances in...
MAR
3
Smart Structures & Nondestructive Evaluation 2019
Denver, CO, United States
Organized in ten parallel conferences, SS/NDE brings together emerging technologies and advanced...
MAR
13
Image Sensors Europe 2019
London, England
Confirmed speakers this year will include guests from Sony, Panasonic, AmazonLab126, CERN, CSEM SA,...

Call for Papers
FEB
24
European Congress on Nanotechnology and Materials Science Engineering
Abstract submissions due February 24.
FEB
26
Photonics North 2019
Abstract Submissions Due: Feb. 26.

view all submit event
BOOKSTORE
The New Collar Workforce
How the New Collar Workforce is Transforming Manufacturing Interviews with 200 manufacturers...
BUY NOW >
back to top
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube RSS
©2019 Photonics Media, 100 West St., Pittsfield, MA, 01201 USA, info@photonics.com

Photonics Media, Laurin Publishing
x We deliver – right to your inbox. Subscribe FREE to our newsletters.
We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.