Determining the polarisation state of the waves.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the polarization state of electromagnetic waves described by two equations: E(z,t) = E_{0x} sin(kz - wt - π/12) - E_{0y} cos(kz - wt + φ + π/12) and E(z,t) = E_{0x} sin(kz - wt - π/3) - E_{0y} sin(kz - wt + π/6). The user successfully reduces the equations to analyze phase shifts, identifying a phase difference of π/2. However, they express uncertainty about incorporating the phase angle φ and calculating the overall polarization state using mathematical methods instead of computational tools like Mathematica.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave equations and their components
  • Knowledge of phase shifts in wave mechanics
  • Familiarity with polarization concepts in electromagnetism
  • Basic skills in trigonometric functions and their properties
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  • Study the mathematical representation of polarization states in electromagnetic waves
  • Learn about phase difference calculations and their implications on wave interference
  • Explore the use of Mathematica for visualizing wave functions and polarization
  • Review examples of determining polarization states from given wave equations
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics and electromagnetism, as well as educators teaching concepts related to wave polarization.

Raphisonfire
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Homework Statement


E(z,t) = E_{0x} \sin (kz - wt - \frac{\pi }{12}) - E_{0y} \cos (kz - wt + \phi + \frac{\pi}{12})
E(z,t) = E_{0x} \sin (kz - wt - \frac{\pi }{3}) - E_{0y} \sin (kz - wt + \frac{\pi}{6})

The Attempt at a Solution



For the first and second problem, I set t and z both to 0, so the only things that are left within the equations are the angles.

I've reduced the first equation down to
"E(z,t) = -E_{0x} \sin ( \frac{\pi }{12}) - E_{0y} \cos (\phi + \frac{\pi}{12})"

And I've worked out that there is a phase shift of \frac{\pi}{2} between the waves, but I'm not sure where \phi comes into it. For the second question, I've done the same process to reduce down z and t. and I've gotten E(z,t) = -E_{0x} \sin ( +\frac{\pi }{3}) - E_{0y} \sin (\frac{\pi}{6})

When I get here, I'm not really sure on what to do from here. I know sin's are in phase, but the angle's aren't... is it just a matter of minusing a phase angle from one another?
I am fine with determining the actual state of polarisation because I have a table and I can also use mathematica to plot the functions out to determine it, but I'd rather use mathematics, because of how I will be examined on this.
 
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What does "polarization state" mean?

ehild
 
ehild said:
What does "polarization state" mean?

ehild

I know what polarisation state means.

My problem is, I don't know how to work through the phase shifts, to actually find the polarization state of that specific wave.
 

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