Physics of Electromagnetic Optical Waves

Wave optics deals with the propagation of light waves and their interaction with matter. 

All sets of optical phenomena comprise three general parts geometrical, wave and physical optics. In this chapter, substantial attention will be given to wave optics and its transition to quantum optics, in which light exhibits as a flow of particles. 

Electric interactions are stronger than magnetic ones. In other words, all physiological, photochemical, photoelectric, etc., actions of light are caused by the operation of an electric field. Therefore, the vector E is referred to as the light vector and the plane of its oscillation is called the plane of oscillation. Each light beam consists of many wavetrains with particular orientation of the plane of oscillation, i.e., polarizations. 

Different orientations of the planes of oscillation are possible in a beam. However, many planes of vibrations take place in a beam, they can all always be reduced to two mutually perpendicular planes. 

Media Refraction index (n) Light speed in the medium (in the light speed unit) 

---