Exploring Light's Polarization States: Longitudinal, Temporal, and Scalar

AI Thread Summary
Light can exhibit longitudinal polarization in a medium, characterized by the electric field aligning with the direction of propagation, particularly in non-propagating near-field modes. Temporal or scalar polarization, related to the E0 component, is also discussed in quantum electrodynamics (QED) courses. Experimental observation of these polarization states can be achieved through techniques found in RF and antenna design literature. Additionally, plasmon-polaritons represent a form of light with longitudinal polarization in certain media. Understanding these concepts is essential for advanced studies in electromagnetic fields and their applications.
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I heard that light in a medium can have longitudinal polarization i.e the e field in the direction of propagation, but i saw in a qed course that light can have temporal or scalar polarization (the E0 component). What is that one and how can one obtain this kind of polarization experimentally ?
Thanks.
 
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The 'near field' generally has a longitudinal component- this is a non-propagating mode. Anything that generates an EM field is said to be 'covered' by the near field.

You will likely learn more about this in the RF and antenna design literature.
 
Modes with longitudinal polarization can also occur for light propagating in media. They are called there plasmon-polaritons.
 
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