What cause a phase shift between Ex and Ey of a polarized EM wave?

[yungman]

In EM wave polarization. Where is linear polarization where \gamma =0 or \pi . \gamma = +/- 45 deg and amplitude of Ex and Ey are equal to give circular polization etc.

My question is why there are different angle of \gamma on the first place? If you set the reference at x direction for E wave and y direction of H wave, you would never have polarization because there is no Ey component to speak of.

Thanks

 

[yungman]

Any opinion?

 

[MATLABdude]

In EM wave polarization. Where is linear polarization where \gamma =0 or \pi . \gamma = +/- 45 deg and amplitude of Ex and Ey are equal to give circular polization etc.

My question is why there are different angle of \gamma on the first place? If you set the reference at x direction for E wave and y direction of H wave, you would never have polarization because there is no Ey component to speak of.

Thanks

Birefringence arising from anisotropy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birefringence

Eugene Hecht's Optics (probably on the third or fourth edition) is a standard optics textbook that covers this, and is probably available in your university's library.

 

[yungman]

Thanks, I was hoping I can get some simple answers...This is way over my head! !

I am studying mainly microwave and antenna. I do not even want to touch optics. If you have any opinion about electronics, I would love to hear it...Like why the wave travel down a coax is circulation polarization?

Thanks