A circularly polarized wave may be resolved into two [[linear polarization|linearly polarized]] waves, of equal amplitude, in [[phase]] [[quadrature]] (90 degrees apart) and with their planes of polarization at right angles to each other.
Circular polarization may be referred to as ''right-hand'' or ''left-hand,'', depending on the direction in which the electric field vector rotates. When looking toward the source, right hand circular polarized light rotates counter-clockwise as time increases,. andIt describes a rightleft handhanded helix along the propagation axis though. The difference in these terms stems from the first definitions of polarizations, which was defined looking into the source, while the handedness or helicity is defined along the direction of the light.
