In article , Winsor Crosby <wincros@xxxxxxx> writes
>>
>Thank you both. This is the first intelligible explanation of a circular
>polarizer I have ever seen. Actually the name seems misleading, but I
>suppose it is easier than something like a "rotated split phase polarizer".
>
Thanks Winsor - I did once consider a teaching career, but it didn't pay
enough.
The name derives from the formation of Lissajous figures - the displays
that always seem to be shown on oscilloscopes on old science fiction
films! :-) A circle is formed by two orthogonal sine waves of equal
amplitude 90deg out of phase. This is essentially what the circular
polarises outputs if either the E or the H fields opf the light are
considered. If the phase difference is changed from 90deg, it becomes
elliptical, and if it is 0deg or 180deg then it becomes linear again.
--
Kennedy
Yes, Socrates himself is particularly missed;
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed.
Python Philosophers (replace 'nospam' with 'kennedym' when replying)
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