When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?

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SUMMARY

When light is polarized, its magnetic field oscillates along an axis perpendicular to the electric field, which oscillates along one transverse axis. Unpolarized light passing through a polarizing filter results in half of its energy being absorbed, leading to the emergence of polarized light. Light is fundamentally an electromagnetic wave, produced through mechanisms such as black body radiation, fluorescence via spontaneous emission, and lasers through stimulated emission. The discussion also touches on the concept of light as a discontinuous flow of quanta, which can result in quantum noise when detecting weak light sources.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic waves
  • Familiarity with light polarization concepts
  • Knowledge of black body radiation and fluorescence
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Study the effects of polarizing filters on light
  • Explore the mechanisms of black body radiation and fluorescence
  • Learn about quantum noise and its implications in light detection
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the properties of light and its behavior in various mediums.

kiru
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When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?
Also what is light.How it is produced? :confused:
 
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kiru said:
When a light is polarized,what happens to its magnetic field?
Also what is light.How it is produced? :confused:
When unpolarized light goes through a polarizing filter, half of the lights energy is absorbed by the filter (that's the idealized short story). The outcoming light's electric field "oscillates" along one transverse axis. The light's magnetic field still oscillates along along an axis perpedicular to the electric field.

The "picket fence analogy" is usually to blame for this. Polarization of light is not due to light squeezing through tiny gaps in the substance.
 
Last edited:
Light is an electromagnetic wave, which is a disturbance in an electromagnetic field that propagates at a fixed speed.

Most of the light we observe is due to black body radiation, fluroescence can be put down to spontaneous emission, whereas lasers generate light via stimulated emission.

Claude.
 
Claude Bile said:
Light is an electromagnetic wave, which is a disturbance in an electromagnetic field that propagates at a fixed speed.

Most of the light we observe is due to black body radiation, fluroescence can be put down to spontaneous emission, whereas lasers generate light via stimulated emission.

Claude
I think Oscillating dipole can also produce light.Isn't it?What I wanted is 'Is light a continuous/discontinuous flow of quanta?'
 
The flow is discontinuous. The discontinuous flow manifests itself as quantum noise when attempting to detect weak light sources.

Claude.
 

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