Circularly polarized light rotation rate

In summary, the rate at which the electric field vector of circularly polarized light rotates is directly proportional to the light's frequency. This means that blue light would rotate faster than red light. This is important to consider in the context of relativity, as all observers would agree on the rotation rate of circularly polarized light, regardless of their relative velocities.
  • #1
Clovis
17
2
I have a question about circularly polarized light. Is the rate at which the electric field vector rotates proportional to the light’s frequency, or is the rate of rotation unrelated to the light’s frequency?

What got me wondering about this was thinking about relativity: Since all observers (no matter what their relative velocities) view a beam of light traveling at the same speed, would all observers also agree on the rotation rate of a beam of circularly polarized light? Or would they see different rotation rates (due to red-shift/blue-shift changes in beam frequency)?

Answers and/or references to answers greatly appreciated!


- Clovis
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
The vectors rotate once per cycle. Pretty damn fast, in the case of light.
 
  • #3
The angular velocity of rotation equals [tex]2\pi f[/tex], where f is the frequency.
Blue light would rotate faster than red.
 

Related to Circularly polarized light rotation rate

1. What is circularly polarized light rotation rate?

Circularly polarized light rotation rate refers to the speed at which the electric field vector of circularly polarized light rotates as it travels through space. This rotation rate is determined by the frequency and wavelength of the light.

2. How is circularly polarized light rotation rate measured?

Circularly polarized light rotation rate is typically measured using a polarimeter. This device uses a polarizing filter and a rotating analyzer to detect the direction and speed of the light's rotation.

3. What are the applications of circularly polarized light rotation rate?

Circularly polarized light rotation rate has numerous applications in fields such as telecommunications, astronomy, and material science. It is also used in medicine for imaging techniques such as circular dichroism spectroscopy.

4. How does the rotation rate of circularly polarized light affect its properties?

The rotation rate of circularly polarized light affects its properties by determining its handedness (clockwise or counterclockwise) and its degree of polarization. It also affects the interaction of the light with other materials, such as chiral molecules.

5. Can the rotation rate of circularly polarized light be changed?

Yes, the rotation rate of circularly polarized light can be changed by altering the properties of the medium through which it is traveling. For example, the rotation rate can be increased by passing the light through a material with a higher refractive index, or decreased by passing it through a material with a lower refractive index.

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