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

1. Dec 27, 2008

### 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

2. Jan 6, 2009

Any opinion?

3. Jan 9, 2009

### MATLABdude

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.

4. Jan 9, 2009

### yungman

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

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