- #1
Breedlove
- 27
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Homework Statement
I'm using Eugene Hecht's 4th edition of Optics, doing problems from chapter 8 on polarization.
Write an expression for a polarization-state lightwave of angular frequency (omega) and amplitude E propagating along the x-axis with its plane of vibration at an angle of 25 degrees to the xy-plane. The disturbance is zero at t = 0 and x = 0.
Homework Equations
Not completely sure
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay, so looking through the book I am really confused as to how to find the plane of vibration angle. There was another problem that dealt with finding the angle given the Ex and Ey components. I think that if I can understand the plane of vibration thing more thoroughly then I would have a better chance at understanding this problem. Also, it seems like the definition of polarization state is excluded from the chapter entirely. Like... augh I wish the chapters had a summary so I wouldn't have to ravage the entire book looking for a definition. Augh it's not in the index either.
Okay so just going off of what I think I know: So it's propagating in the x direction, that means that it's oscillating in the y and z directions right? The plane of vibration thing is an effect of the waves being out of phase by some constant epsilon. I need to find what epsilon has to be in order for the polarization thing to be 25 degrees. Furthermore, I have to find a phase constant such that both the Ey and Ez components are zero at t=0 and x=0. How do I go about finding an epsilon so that the polarization is 25 degrees? Augh..
Examples, general advice, any help of any kind is greatly appreciated. Thanksthanks!