Polarization of EM Radiation

Equation 1.1 describes a plane wave. The direction of propagation is k. Vectors f with a given value of k f are in a plane perpendicular to k. For constant time, t, the complex wave is a function of the perpendicular distance k r to the origin. As time, increases for constant k r, complex waves pass the plane with frequency equal to to. 

For linearly polarized light, = Oy. For circularly polarized light, Jt/2, 

The speed of propagation is ra/k = c, where c is the velocity of light Two waves may be added and undergo interference, whereby the ordinary vector summation rules are obeyed. 

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