What is polarization?
Polarization, also called wave polarization, is an expression of the orientation of the lines of electric flux in an electromagnetic field (EM field). Polarization can be constant, that is, existing in a particular orientation at all times, or it can rotate with each wave cycle. Polarization is important in wireless communications systems. The physical orientation of a wireless antenna corresponds to the polarization of the radio waves received or transmitted by that antenna. Thus, a vertical antenna receives and emits vertically polarized waves, and a horizontal antenna receives or emits horizontally polarized waves. Some wireless antennas transmit and receive EM waves whose polarization rotates 360 degrees with each complete wave cycle. This type of polarization, called elliptical or circular polarization, can be either clockwise or counterclockwise. The best communications results are obtained when the transmitting and receiving antennas have the same sense of polarization (both clo
Polarization is a property of light, or other electromagnetic radiation, that is primarily understood through studying the waves of the radiation. Polarization was discovered by Etienne Louis Malus, a French physicist in the early 1800s. Light is the range of electromagnetic radiation that humans can see. The wavelengths of light have a range from 380-750 nanometers. Electromagnetic radiation is radiation that is produced by electric and magnetic fields that travel together at the speed of light through space. Light has been described as being comprised of two sets of transverse waves that are at right angles to each other. These two sets of waves represent the electric and magnetic segments of radiation — as mentioned above. Although polarization can be quite complex, it can better understood using simple examples. It is sometimes easiest to consider polarization if only one of the two sets of waves is considered — the electric set. In unpolarized light, waves are in a jumble of direc
In order to better understand how to use a polarizing filter, we will first take a look at polarization itself. Since a formal explanation requires a good understanding of optical science, we will present a simplified but generally accurate explanation. Polarization is part of the basic properties of light. It relates to the fact that light is made up of waves. When you’re looking at a light source (the Sun, a light bulb, or a reflective surface for instance) those wave are coming straight towards you. And these waves, just like any others, oscillate. Vertical oscillation of a wave, as seen from the side. The arrow represents the movement of the wave as seen from the front. But since there are a multitude of waves emitted by any light source, these oscillations will generally be oriented in multiple directions. This is called “unpolarized light.” Multiple polarisation orientations, as seen when looking at a light source As you can see, any of those waves can be represented by a vertica
Polarization is the light which vibrates only directions of certain electrical field and magnetic field. There is no certain polarization in nature, but LD light is usually liner polarization. Generally, polarization direction means the vibration surface of the electrical field. In Laser Diodes, the vibration of the electrical field that is parallel to the active layer of the LD is called TE (Transverse Electric Wave) mode, and the vibration of the electrical field that is vertical to the active layer is called TM (Transverse Magnetic Wave) mode.
