What is meant by Copolarization and Cross polarization?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the concepts of copolarization and cross polarization in the context of electromagnetic (EM) waves and their interaction with polarizing filters. Participants explore how these terms relate to the alignment of filters and the behavior of light as it passes through them.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that copolarization refers to the alignment of polarizing filters that allows light to pass through with minimal change, while cross polarization occurs when filters are oriented at 90 degrees to each other, blocking most or all light.
  • One participant explains that an EM wave is polarized when its electric field vector is predominantly oriented in one direction, which is relevant in applications like TV transmission where antenna orientation affects reception.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on the context of the terms, proposing that they may relate to polarization between independent beams or between a beam and an optical device.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of copolarization and cross polarization as they relate to polarizing filters, but there is some uncertainty regarding the broader context and applications of these terms.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not fully resolve the implications of copolarization and cross polarization in various contexts, and assumptions about the specific scenarios in which these terms apply remain unaddressed.

vani
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What is meant by Copolarization and Cross polarization? How does EM wave travel in such polarizations?
 
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What's the context? I suspect the terms refer to polarization relative to something else, such as between two independent beams or a beam and an optical device.
 
To Vani

These terms could be applied to a couple of polarizing filters --- so that co-polar refers to their being aligned such that their effect on light is the same or crosspolar when they are at 90 degrees to each other.
In the first case an unpolarised beam of light will be polarised by the first filter and pass through the second mostly unchanged , but in the second case the second filter will block most or all of the light.
An EM wave is polarised when the electric field vector which is normal to the path is mostly pointing one way, this occurs for instance in TV transmission due to antenna orientations and therefore requires the receiving antenna to match for best reception.
Ray
 
Thank you ray! i got it!
 

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