Is Light Wave Always Linearly Polarized?

AI Thread Summary
Light waves are not always linearly polarized; their polarization depends on the source and interactions with materials. Light can be un-polarized, circularly polarized, elliptically polarized, or partially polarized. The presence of a polarizer or reflection from certain surfaces can induce polarization. Understanding these variations is crucial in applications like optics and telecommunications. Overall, light polarization is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors.
curious bishal
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Is light wave always linearly polarized?
 
Science news on Phys.org
No. It depends on the source, and if it passes through a polariser, or if it is reflected off some medium that causes polarisation.
 
You can also have un-polarized, circularly polarized light, elliptically polarized light, partially linearly polarized light, partially ... You get the gist.
 

Thread 'Pentaprism with magnification, which surface is curved?'

I would like to use a pentaprism with some amount of magnification. The pentaprism will be used to reflect a real image at 90 degrees angle but I also want the reflected image to appear larger. The distance between the prism and the real image is about 70cm. The pentaprism has two reflecting sides (surfaces) with mirrored coating and two refracting sides. I understand that one of the four sides needs to be curved (spherical curvature) to achieve the magnification effect. But which of the...
View full post »

Similar threads

I How different is a calcite crystal from a polarizer?
Replies
3
Views
3K
Light waves through polarizers: transverse or longitudinal?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Rotation of the plane of polarization of light by glucose
Replies
4
Views
2K
I How Does Light Remain After Polarization Despite Changes in Its Electric Field?
Replies
10
Views
3K
B Does light propagate as a wave of little bullets?
Replies
34
Views
3K
Does a material change the direction of polarization of light?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Trying to Understand the Polarization of light
Replies
6
Views
13K
Elliptically polarized light & partially-polarized light
Replies
11
Views
3K
B Why are light waves depicted as lines, circles, and sinusoids?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Calculating the degree of polarization of reflecting light
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top