When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of polarization on the magnetic field of light, as well as the nature and production of light itself. Participants explore both theoretical and conceptual aspects of light, including its electromagnetic properties and the mechanisms behind its generation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what happens to the magnetic field of light when it is polarized, suggesting that the electric field oscillates along one transverse axis while the magnetic field oscillates along an axis perpendicular to the electric field.
  • Another participant describes light as an electromagnetic wave, noting that it is a disturbance in an electromagnetic field and discussing various sources of light, including black body radiation, fluorescence, and stimulated emission from lasers.
  • A later reply introduces the idea of oscillating dipoles as a source of light and questions whether light is a continuous or discontinuous flow of quanta.
  • One participant asserts that the flow of light is discontinuous, linking this to the phenomenon of quantum noise in weak light detection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of light, particularly regarding its flow as continuous or discontinuous. There is no consensus on the implications of polarization for the magnetic field of light, nor on the broader conceptual understanding of light itself.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the nature of light and its polarization may depend on specific definitions and interpretations, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

kiru
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When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?
Also what is light.How it is produced? :confused:
 
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kiru said:
When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?
Also what is light.How it is produced? :confused:
When unpolarized light goes through a polarizing filter, half of the lights energy is absorbed by the filter (that's the idealized short story). The outcoming light's electric field "oscillates" along one transverse axis. The light's magnetic field still oscillates along along an axis perpedicular to the electric field.

The "picket fence analogy" is usually to blame for this. Polarization of light is not due to light squeezing through tiny gaps in the substance.
 
Last edited:
Light is an electromagnetic wave, which is a disturbance in an electromagnetic field that propagates at a fixed speed.

Most of the light we observe is due to black body radiation, fluroescence can be put down to spontaneous emission, whereas lasers generate light via stimulated emission.

Claude.
 
Claude Bile said:
Light is an electromagnetic wave, which is a disturbance in an electromagnetic field that propagates at a fixed speed.

Most of the light we observe is due to black body radiation, fluroescence can be put down to spontaneous emission, whereas lasers generate light via stimulated emission.

Claude
I think Oscillating dipole can also produce light.Isn't it?What I wanted is 'Is light a continuous/discontinuous flow of quanta?'
 
The flow is discontinuous. The discontinuous flow manifests itself as quantum noise when attempting to detect weak light sources.

Claude.
 

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