Circularly Polarized Light

Circularly polarized light: In equation (1), if the amplitude of the components of electric field along x axis and y axis are equal

  ..............................(1)               

And the phase difference

Then equation (1) reduces to

                    .............................. (2)

Let us monitor the variation of electric field as a function of time at a given location in the longitudinal direction say z=0.From equation 2

                    ........................................ (3)

The magnitude of the x and y component of the electric field , the direction of the electric field and the resultant electric field as a function of time are listed in table 1.      

The magnitude of the resultant electric field is constant (which has to be as the wave is propagating in a lossless media) but the component of electric fields along x and y are changing and hence the direction of resultant electric field is changing continuously. The resultant electric field vector E is rotating clock wise at an angular frequency , as after a time 2 the direction of electric field is same as that of starting at t=0.

From equation (2), the x component

             .......................................... (4) and y component
             ........................................... (5)

the magnitude of electric field from above

                                 ...................................... (6)