Linearly polarized light refers to a type of light in which the electric field oscillates in one direction, resulting in a plane of polarization. This means that all the electric field vectors are aligned in the same direction, creating a wave that oscillates in a single plane.
Linearly polarized light can be created through various methods, such as passing unpolarized light through a polarizing filter or using a polarizer, which consists of a special material that only allows light waves with specific orientations to pass through.
The main difference between linearly polarized light and unpolarized light is the direction of the electric field. In unpolarized light, the electric field oscillates in all possible directions, while in linearly polarized light, the electric field oscillates in one direction.
The field strength of linearly polarized light can be measured using a device called a polarimeter. This instrument measures the intensity of light that passes through a polarizing filter and can determine the degree of polarization, which is a measure of the alignment of the electric field vectors.
Linearly polarized light has various applications, including in optical devices such as LCD screens, polarizing sunglasses, and 3D glasses. It is also used in spectroscopy, microscopy, and in communication technologies such as fiber optics. Polarized light is also used in scientific research to study the properties of materials and electromagnetic waves.