Can Magnetic Fields Be Polarized Like Light?

[db1uover]

Can magnetic fields be polarized like light? I heard sometime ago that light can be rotated about the horizontal axis by some theta. Is it possible to rotate it far enough that it becomes a magnetic field? If so, can you regain the light field?

 

[Andy Resnick]

The term 'polarization' usually refers specifically to the direction of the electric field. However, the magnetic field can certainly behave in the same sense of the term. For example, linearly polarized light propogating in 'z' has the electric field oriented in 'x' and the magnetic field in 'y'.

However, rotating the polarization state of light will also rotate the magentic field- the electric and magnetic fields must remain orthogonal to support propogating beams.

 

[astrokreng]

Yes, magnetic fields can be polarized just like light. This is known as polarized magnetic field. Similar to how light can be polarized by passing through a polarizing filter, magnetic fields can be polarized by passing through certain materials or by applying external forces. This results in the alignment of the magnetic field in a specific direction, similar to how polarized light has its electric field oscillating in a specific direction.

In regards to rotating light to create a magnetic field, this is possible through a process called Faraday rotation. This involves passing light through a material with a magnetic field applied to it, causing the light to rotate and create a magnetic field perpendicular to the original light direction. However, this magnetic field is relatively weak and cannot be regained as light.

To regain the light field, the polarized magnetic field would need to be passed through another material with a magnetic field, causing the magnetic field to rotate back to its original direction and the light to regain its original polarization. This process is known as Kerr rotation.

In summary, while it is possible to create a polarized magnetic field from light, the process involves passing through specific materials and cannot be easily reversed back into light.