polarization (redirected from Polarizations)

polarization

Property of certain types of electromagnetic radiation in which the direction and magnitude of the vibrating electric field are related in a specified way. The electric vector representing the magnitude and direction of the electric field in a wave of light is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is moving. Unpolarized light consists of waves moving in the same direction with their electric vectors pointing in random orientations about the axis of propagation. Plane-polarized light consists only of waves that vibrate in one direction. In circular polarization the electric vector rotates about the propagation direction. Light may be polarized by reflection or by passing it through polarizing filters, such as certain crystals, that transmit vibrations in one plane but not in others. Polarized light has useful applications in crystallography, liquid-crystal displays, optical filters, and the identification of optically active chemical compounds.

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polarization, polarisation

Physics the process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of the electric field vector

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polarization [‚pō·lə·rə′zā·shən]

(electricity)

The process of producing a relative displacement of positive and negative bound charges in a body by applying an electric field.

A vector quantity equal to the electric dipole moment per unit volume of a material. Also known as dielectric polarization; electric polarization.

A chemical change occurring in dry cells during use, increasing the internal resistance of the cell and shortening its useful life.

(physics)

Phenomenon exhibited by certain electromagnetic waves and other transverse waves in which the direction of the electric field or the displacement direction of the vibrations is constant or varies in some definite way. Also known as wave polarization.

The direction of the electric field or the displacement vector of a wave exhibiting polarization (first definition).

The process of bringing about polarization (first definition) in a transverse wave.

Property of a collection of particles with spin, in which the majority have spin components pointing in one direction, rather than at random.