polarization

n. making polarized, giving two opposite tendencies; condition of having polariy; phenomenon in which light waves move in one plane (also polarisation)

This article is about electromagnetic waves; for other senses of this term, see polarization (disambiguation).In electrodynamics, polarization (Brit., polarisation) is the property of electromagnetic waves, such as light, that describes the direction of the transverse electric field. More generally, the polarization of a transverse wave describes the direction of oscillation in the plane perpendicular to the direction of travel. Longitudinal waves such as sound waves do not exhibit polarization, because for these waves the direction of oscillation is along the direction of travel.
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Noun
1. the phenomenon in which waves of light or other radiation are restricted in direction of vibration
(synonym) polarisation
(hypernym) optical phenomenon
(derivation) polarize, polarise
2. the condition of having or giving polarity
(synonym) polarisation
(hypernym) condition, status
(derivation) polarize, polarise

(n.)
The act of polarizing; the state of being polarized, or of having polarity.
  

(n.)
An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic battery, or the electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the deposition upon them of the gases liberated by the action of the current. It is chiefly due to the hydrogen, and results in an increase of the resistance, and the setting up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing through the cell.
  

(n.)
A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat, in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in different directions.
  

Of an electromagnetic wave, the property that describes the orientation, i.e., time-varying direction and amplitude, of the electric field vector. (188 ) Note 1: States of polarization are described in terms of the figures traced as a function of time by the projection of the extremity of a representation of the electric vector onto a fixed plane in space, which plane is perpendicular to the direction of propagation. In general, the figure, i.e., polarization, is elliptical and is traced in a clockwise or counterclockwise sense, as viewed in the direction of propagation. If the major and minor axes of the ellipse are equal, the polarization is said to be circular . If the minor axis of the ellipse is zero, the polarization is said to be linear . Rotation of the electric vector in a clockwise sense is designated right-hand polarization , and rotation in a counterclockwise sense is designated left-hand polarization . Note 2: Mathematically, an elliptically polarized wave may be described as the vector sum of two waves of equal wavelength but unequal amplitude, and in quadrature (having their respective electric vectors at right angles and /2 radians out of phase).