Elliptical polarization

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In electrodynamics elliptical polarization is the polarization of electromagnetic radiation such that the tip of the electric field vector describes an ellipse in any fixed plane intersecting, and normal to, the direction of propagation. An elliptically polarized wave may be resolved into two linearly polarized waves in phase quadrature with their polarization planes at right angles to each other.

All forms of polarization can be considered elliptical, including circular and linear polarization.

By applying multiple dipole antennas driven by 90 degree phase shifts relative to one another, Electric field vector will rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on the phase shift.

Example phase{E}=tan-1{Ey/Ex}

|E| = (Ex^2 +Ey^2)^0.5

Ey=(Eyo)*sin(wt)

Ex=(Exo)*sin(wt+pi/2)

|E| = E

phase{E} = wt

the electric field vector will rotate with an angular velocity w, in this particular case, counterclockwise. If Eyo = Exo, this is called circular polarization. If they are different, it is called elliptical polarization