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In [[electrodynamics]], '''circular polarization''' of [[electromagnetic radiation]] is a [[polarization]] such that the tip of the [[electric field]] vector, at a fixed point in space, describes a
Circular (and eliptical) polarization is possible because the propagating electric (and magnetic) fields can have two orthogonal components with independent amplitudes and phases (and the same frequency).
A circularly polarized wave may be resolved into two [[linear polarization|linearly polarized]] waves, of equal amplitude, in [[phase]] [[quadrature]] and with their planes of polarization at right angles to each other. ▼
▲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 <i>"right-hand"</i> or <i>"left-hand,"</i> depending on the direction in which the electric field vector rotates. ▼
▲Circular polarization may be referred to as <i>"right-hand"</i> or <i>"left-hand,"</i> depending on the direction in which the electric field vector rotates. When looking toward the source, right hand circular polarized light rotates clockwise as time increases, and describes a right hand helix along the propagation axis.
The term "Circular Polarisation" is often used erroneously to describe mixed polarity signals used mostly in FM radio (87,5 to 108,0 MHz), where a vertical and a horizontal component are propagated simultaneously by a single or a combined array.
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