Longitudional electro magnetic waves and linear polarisation

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SUMMARY

Longitudinal electromagnetic (EM) waves differ fundamentally from linearly polarized waves, which are classified as transverse waves. According to Maxwell's equations, EM waves in a vacuum are transverse, with electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicularly to the direction of propagation. Longitudinal waves can occur under specific conditions, such as in plasma waves or guided waves, but are not present in free space or homogeneous media. Heaviside's analysis further supports that longitudinal EM waves are not found in typical scenarios outside of these specialized contexts.

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  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic wave theory
  • Familiarity with linear polarization concepts
  • Basic principles of plasma physics
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Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetic theory and wave propagation, particularly those interested in the distinctions between wave types and their applications in various media.

h3x3n
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Hello,
Are longitudinal EM waves ( I know they exist) any different from linearly polarised waves we learn about in antennae theory

Just to be clear http://www.antenna-theory.com/basics/polarization.php defines linear polarisation pretty clearly in the context i am talking about
 
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yes.

As your link indicates, polarized waves are transverse waves', Longitudional waves are not. EM waves are transverse except under special constraints:

[Maxwell's equations lead to the prediction of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, which are transverse (in that the electric fields and magnetic fields vary perpendicularly to the direction of propagation).[2] However, waves can exist in plasmas or confined spaces, called plasma waves, which can be longitudinal, transverse, or a mixture of both.[2][3] .....
After Heaviside's attempts to generalize Maxwell's equations, Heaviside came to the conclusion that electromagnetic waves were not to be found as longitudinal waves in "free space" or homogeneous media.[5] But Maxwell's equations do lead to the appearance of longitudinal waves under some circumstances, for example, in plasma waves or guided waves...QUOTE]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitudinal_electromagnetic_wave#Electromagnetic

In electrodynamics, linear polarization or plane polarization of electromagnetic radiation is a confinement of the electric field vector or magnetic field vector to a given plane along the direction of propagation.
 

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