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In [[electrodynamics]], '''elliptical polarization''' is the [[Polarization (waves)|polarization]] of [[electromagnetic radiation]] such that the tip of the [[electric field]] [[vector (geometry)|vector]] describes an [[ellipse]] in any fixed plane intersecting, and [[Surface normal|normal]] to, the direction of propagation. An elliptically polarized wave may be resolved into two [[linear polarization|linearly polarized wave]]s in [[Quadrature phase|phase quadrature]], with their polarization planes at right angles to each other. Since the electric field can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise as it propagates, elliptically polarized waves exhibit [[chirality (physics)|chirality]].
Other forms of polarization, such as [[circular polarization|circular]] and [[linear polarization]], can be considered to be special cases of elliptical
[[Image:Elliptical polarization schematic.png|right|Elliptical polarization diagram]]
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