Polarization of Electromagnetic wave

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A wave is linearly polarized when its components have a phase difference of n*π and circularly polarized with a phase difference of n*π/2. When the phase difference is neither, the wave can exhibit elliptical polarization, which occurs when there is a phase difference of n*π/2 and differing amplitudes in the components. The discussion highlights that both linear and circular polarization can be viewed as vector additions or resolutions. Lissajous Figures are suggested as a visual analogy for understanding the patterns of polarization. Elliptical polarization is a key term in RF applications.
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Dear friends i know that a wave is linearly polarized if its components have a phase difference of n*∏ and is circularly polarized if phase difference is n*∏/2. But what if phase difference is neither ∏ nor ∏/2? like for E= ax exp(-j(βy-∏/4)) + azexp(-j(βy-∏/2))... thanks in advance...
 
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Try Elliptical?
It's the term used in RF.
 
sophiecentaur said:
Try Elliptical?
It's the term used in RF.

In eliptical polarization there is a phase difference of n*∏/2 and the amplitudes of the components are different.
 
Both ways will produce elliptical polarisation. After all, it's only adding / resolving vectors.
[Edit: look at some Lissajous Figures, they will show the way that patterns can be obtained. They are directly analogous to what happens with polarisation]
 
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