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Polarization



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Physics    Waves and Optics   Polarization

Circular polarization

 

                  Left-hand circularly polarized light is defined such that the electric field is rotating counterclockwise as seen by an observer towards whom the wave is moving. Right-hand circularly polarized light is defined such that the electric field is rotating clockwise as seen by an observer towards whom the wave is moving.

Polarization by scattering

                    Scattering is a phenomenon in which when light is incident on any material, the electrons in the material can absorb and reradiate part of the light. Such absorption and reradiation of light by electrons in the gas molecules that make up air is what causes sunlight reaching an observer on the Earth to be partially polarized. Even we can observe this effect (scattering) looking directly up at the sky through a pair of sunglasses whose lenses are made of polarizing material. Less light passes through at certain orientations of the lenses than at others. The sunlight becomes polarized when it is scattered called polarization by scattering.


    
         
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