Polarization on an interface at Brewster's angle

[jun9008]

Homework Statement

Characterize the polarization (i.e., linear, circular, or elliptical) of the transmitted and reflected waves for the case in which a circularly-polarized field is incident on an interface at Brewster's angle

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought that since he transmitted and reflected waves would be going in the perpendicular direction of each other, and as taken frame by frame, in a circularly-polarized field, the waves reflecting and transmitting through them would make a linear shape.

thanks for all your help

 

[anathema]

Thank you for your question. In this scenario, the polarization of both the transmitted and reflected waves would be linear. This is because Brewster's angle is the angle at which the reflected and transmitted rays are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the polarization of the incident wave would be maintained in both the reflected and transmitted waves.

I hope this helps clarify your understanding. Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[tomcue]

I would like to clarify that the polarization of the transmitted and reflected waves in this scenario would not be linear, but rather elliptical. This is because at Brewster's angle, the reflected and transmitted waves are polarized perpendicular to each other, resulting in an elliptical polarization. This is due to the fact that at Brewster's angle, the incident wave is polarized at an angle of 45 degrees to the plane of incidence, resulting in a circularly-polarized field. When this circularly-polarized field is reflected and transmitted, the polarization of the waves will be elliptical. This can be observed by analyzing the electric field vectors of the reflected and transmitted waves. So, in summary, the polarization of the transmitted and reflected waves in this scenario would be elliptical, not linear.