Can somebody explain what polarization is, and how some materials can block certain "orientations" of polarization?
Quick, hand-waving answer...
Light can be described as a traveling electromagnetic wave with transverse electric and magnetic fields. For example, a light wave traveling north might have its electric field oscillating up and down and its magnetic field oscillating east and west. An oppositely polarized light wave (traveling north still) would have its electric field oscillating east and west and its magnetic field oscillating up and down.
In a material that blocks a certain polarization the electrons are more free to move in one direction than in the other direction. (Based on the shapes of molecules making up the material). The moving electrons interact with the electric field when the directions match...
Slashdot Mirror
Dots and Lines (Paperback)
by Richard J. Trudeau (Author)
A very accessible introduction to Graph Theory.
But you will have to get it used on Amazon etc...
See title. And good grief!
Can somebody explain what polarization is, and how some materials can block certain "orientations" of polarization?
Quick, hand-waving answer...
Light can be described as a traveling electromagnetic wave with transverse electric and magnetic fields. For example, a light wave traveling north might have its electric field oscillating up and down and its magnetic field oscillating east and west. An oppositely polarized light wave (traveling north still) would have its electric field oscillating east and west and its magnetic field oscillating up and down.
In a material that blocks a certain polarization the electrons are more free to move in one direction than in the other direction. (Based on the shapes of molecules making up the material). The moving electrons interact with the electric field when the directions match...
Enjoy,