All Questions
Tagged with electromagnetic-radiation polarization
168
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Link between photon helicity and polarization of $A^\mu$ electromagnetic potential
From Wigner theorem we know that the irreducible unitary representation of the Poincarè group for massless and spin 1 particle is labelled by the momentum $p_\mu$ and the two possible helicity $+1,-1$ ...
- 613
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35
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What happens when a linear polarized EM wave encounters a perpendicular mesh of wires (which are electrically connected)?
Assume a radio wave with wavelength 1 m is traveling in the negative z direction when it encounters a grid of closely spaced wires (say, 10 cm separation) laying in the xy plane, with each wire ...
- 93
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4
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328
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A question about circularly polarized light
At work, a senior colleague thinks that circularly polarized light does not exist. My problem is that we both work on a project involving polarized light. In some occasions, I would like to point out ...
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How are 3 Principle Sections possible in a crystal even when there is only one optical axis and all must contain it?
While studying polarization in calcite crystals, I came across that there are 3 possible principle sections in the rhombohedral crystal. But the conditions are that each section must be perpendicular ...
2
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1
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79
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If helicity of photons is +1 then the light is right- or left-circularly polarized?
In particle physics, we say: a particle has +1 helicity (right-handed) if its momentum and spin are parallel, or it has -1 helicity (left-handed) if its momentum and spin are antiparellel.
Now, if we ...
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Can an electromagnetic wave be polarised in the direction it propagates?
Can the electric field vector of an EM wave oscillate in the propagation direction?
In text books the polarisation is always orthogonal to the propagation direction.
I'm wondering specifically ...
- 21
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66
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Find the direction of rotation of the given elliptically polarized electromagnetic wave
$$E_x = \cos(wt-\beta z)$$
$$E_y = \cos(wt -\beta z + \frac{\pi}{4})$$
$E_x$ is of course in the $x$ direction and $E_y$ is in $y$ direction. Direction of propagation of EM wave is $z$.
I already know ...
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Same behaviour of EM radiation at the polarisation grid and at the double slit?
In a diffraction grating, the EM radiation is polarised after passing through the grating, i.e. the electric and magnetic field components are aligned by the grating bars, one component parallel, the ...
- 10.6k
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2
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183
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Definition(s) of polarization of waves
Is there more than one definition to "polarization" in the context of waves?
In some cases, I've seen the term "direction of polarization", which I presume it refers to the ...
- 185
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1
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Meaning of complex-number representation of circular polarization
I am reading the Sakurai's book "Modern Quantum Mechanics". It starts from analogy between electron spin and classical light polarization. So far so good, but I have no idea how and why ...
- 362
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Do uniaxial lossy media rotate the polarization of the extraordinary wave?
I am having problems determining the direction of polarization (of the electric field) of the extraordinary wave in a uniaxial crystal when the media is lossy. I am especially interested in the ...
- 352
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How does Dipole coupling affect macroscopic polarizability and refractive index
I have taken some measurements of refractive index (refractometer (commercial Brix meter), nD20 i.e. 20 degrees C and 589 nm) and density of sucrose/water mixtures and also of ethanol/water mixtures.
...
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43
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How can any light get past a polarizer?
The sun sends out unpolarized light. There are infinite degrees in which these photons are oriented. A polarizer only lets in light of one specific orientation.
In statistics, the infinitesimal area/...
- 559
3
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4
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122
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Can electromagnetic waves be polarized without any being absorbed or blocked? (I.e., no energy is lost?)
I guess what I am asking is this:
When a light source is suddenly polarized in a certain direction, is it because all of the constituent waves not already polarized that way are blocked, reflected or ...
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How do you determine the handedness of the polarization vector of a beam of light?
The Wikipedia page on circular polarization says,
[For] polarization [as] defined from the point of view of the source...left- or right-handedness is determined by pointing one's left or right thumb ...
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