Content deleted Content added
m cleanup, typo(s) fixed: eg. → e.g. using AWB |
m clean up spacing around punctuation, replaced: ,t → , t, , → , (3) using AWB |
||
Line 37:
If <math>\beta= 0</math>, the wave is [[linear polarization|linearly polarized]]. The ellipse collapses to a straight line <math>(A=|\mathbf{E}|, B=0</math>) oriented at an angle <math>\phi=\theta</math>. This is the case of superposition of two simple harmonic motions (in phase), one in the x direction with an amplitude <math>|\mathbf{E}| \cos\theta</math>, and the other in the y direction with an amplitude <math>|\mathbf{E}| \sin\theta </math>. When <math>\beta</math> increases from zero, i.e., assumes positive values, the line evolves into an ellipse that is being traced out in the counterclockwise direction (looking in the direction of the propagating wave); this then corresponds to ''left-handed elliptical polarization''; the semi-major axis is now oriented at an angle <math>\phi\neq\theta </math>. Similarly, if <math>\beta</math> becomes negative from zero, the line evolves into an ellipse that is being traced out in the clockwise direction; this corresponds to ''right-handed elliptical polarization''.
If <math>\beta=\pm\pi/2</math> and <math>\theta=\pi/4</math>, <math> A=B=|\mathbf{E}|/\sqrt{2}</math>, i.e., the wave is [[circular polarization|circularly polarized]]. When <math>\beta=\pi/2</math>, the wave is left-circularly polarized, and when <math>\beta=-\pi/2</math>, the wave is right-circularly polarized.
==In nature==
| |||