Introduction
The phenomena of interference and diffraction confirm the wave nature of light hence neither of these phenomena is able to identify the nature of waves that light is. These phenomena do not tell whether the oscillation of light waves are longitudinal or transverse in nature. But this is accomplish with the study of polarization.
Unpolarized Light
When the vibrations of a light wave take place in more than one plane is call as unpolarized light. For example:- Sunlight, light emitted by a lamp in a room or light from the flame of a candle is unpolarized light. But we can transform unpolarized light into polarized light.
Polarized Light
Polarized light is that light in which vibrations take place in a single plane.
Polarization
The process of converting unpolarized light into polarized light is known as polarization.
Classification of Light
Light is an electromagnetic wave. It is transverse in nature but on the other hand natural light is normally unpolarized. As a result of this all planes of propagation are equally possible. We can classify light as given below :-
Linearly Polarized: Light is call as linearly polarized if it is in the form of a plane wave in space and the electric field of light is limited to a single plane along the direction of propagation.
Circularly Polarized: Light is call as circularly polarized if light is composed of two plane waves of equal amplitude by differing in phase by 90°. If you point the thumb of your right hand in the direction of propagation of the light, the electric vector will rotate in the direction of your fingers.
Elliptically Polarized: Light is call as elliptically polarized if two plane waves of differing amplitude are related in phase by 90° or other than 90°. If you point the thumb of your right hand in the direction of propagation of the light, the electric vector will rotate in the direction of your fingers.
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