POLARIZATION
polarization, polarisation
(noun) the phenomenon in which waves of light or other radiation are restricted in direction of vibration
polarization, polarisation
(noun) the condition of having or giving polarity
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
polarization (countable and uncountable, plural polarizations)
the production or the condition of polarity
(physics) the production of polarized light; the direction in which the electric field of an electromagnetic wave points
(chemistry, physics) the separation of positive and negative charges in a nucleus, atom, molecule or system
the grouping of opinions into two extremes
Source: Wiktionary
Po`lar*i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polarisation.]
1. The act of polarizing; the state of being polarized, or of having
polarity.
2. (Opt.)
Definition: A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat,
in consequence of which they exhibit different properties in
different directions.
Note: If a beam of light, which has been reflected from a plate of
unsilvered glass at an angle of about 56°, be received upon a second
plate of glass similar to the former, and at the same angle of
incidence, the light will be readily reflected when the two planes of
incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be reflected when
the two planes of incidence are perpendicular to each other. The
light has, therefore, acquired new properties by reflection from the
first plate of glass, and is called polarized light, while the
modification which the light has experienced by this reflection is
called polarization. The plane in which the beam of light is
reflected from the first mirror is called the plane of polarization.
The angle of polarization is the angle at which a beam of light must
be reflected, in order that the polarization may be the most
complete. The term polarization was derived from the theory of
emission, and it was conceived that each luminous molecule has two
poles analogous to the poles of a magnet; but this view is not now
held. According to the undulatory theory, ordinary light is produced
by vibrations transverse or perpendicular to the direction of the
ray, and distributed as to show no distinction as to any particular
direction. But when, by any means, these, vibrations are made to take
place in one plane, the light is said to be plane polarized. If only
a portion of the vibrations lie in one plane the ray is said to be
partially polarized. Light may be polarized by several methods other
than by reflection, as by refraction through most crystalline media,
or by being transmitted obliquely through several plates of glass
with parallel faces. If a beam of polarized light be transmitted
through a crystal of quartz in the direction of its axis, the plane
of polarization will be changed by an angle proportional to the
thickness of the crystal. This phenomenon is called rotatory
polarization. A beam of light reflected from a metallic surface, or
from glass surfaces under certain peculiar conditions, acquires
properties still more complex, its vibrations being no longer
rectilinear, but circular, or elliptical. This phenomenon is called
circular or elliptical polarization.
3. (Elec.)
Definition: An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic battery, or the
electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the deposition upon them of
the gases liberated by the action of the current. It is chiefly due
to the hydrogen, and results in an increase of the resistance, and
the setting up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which
tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing
through the cell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition