- #1
Yoni V
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Homework Statement
Linearly polarized light in the x direction with wave number ##k_0## travels in the z direction. It enters a medium such that a RHCP component of the wave and a LHCP component each accumulate a phase of ##n_Rk_0z## and ##n_Lk_0z## respectively, where z is the distance traveled inside the medium.
a. What is the polarization of the wave as a function of z?
b. For which values of z do we get a linear polarization in the y direction?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
It's kind of a warm-up question and should be pretty easy, but I guess I'm missing something elementary...
I suppose I should write the wave in terms of ##\hat r## and ##\hat l##, apply the given transformation for each component, and then rewrite the answer in terms of ##\hat x, \hat y##. But I'm stuck on step 1, which is writing my initial x-polarized wave in terms of ## \hat r, \hat l##. Any advice, an analogous example or a more general treatment?
Thanks...
Edit: latex fixes...