Description Data structure for a ray's polarization state in standard form.
Definition Type T_POLARIZE ellipticity As Double angle As Double sX As Double sY As Double sZ As Double isRightHand As Boolean End Type
Members ellipticity The ellipticity of the polarization ellipse.
angle The angle that the major axis of the polarization ellipse makes with the (sX,sY,sZ) vector.
sX X component of the s-vector.
sY Y component of the s-vector.
sZ Z component of the s-vector.
isRightHand True if the polarization is right-handed, False if the polarization is lefthanded.
Notes In general, the polarized field is defined as:
E = Sqrt(rayflux) × (ap p + as s + ad d) × Exp[i(2p/l)×OPL]
d is the ray direction, s ^ p and s x p = d,
ap = pAmpReal + i pAmpImag, as = sAmpReal + i sAmpImag, s ^ p and ad = 0 except in birefringent media.
The s-vector, given in the global coordinate system, is defined as the vector perpendicular to both the ray direction and the plane of incidence. The plane of incidence is the plane defined by the ray direction and the surface normal at the ray intersection point. In the case of normal incidence, the s-vector associated with a ray is maintained from its previous state.
The rotation direction of the polarization ellipses indicates the rotation direction as the propagation distance is fixed and time advances. Polarization is right handed if, as time increases, the tip of the electric field vector rotates clockwise on any particular plane in space when the direction of ray propagation is toward the observer. Conversely, polarization is left handed if, as time increases, the tip of the electric field vector rotates counter-clockwise on any particular plane in space when the direction of ray propagation is toward the observer.
Used as Parameter in
See Also
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