Polarization is a term used to describe the direction of oscillation of an electromagnetic wave. It is a property of light and can be thought of as the alignment of the electric field component of the wave.
Polarization is typically measured using a polarimeter, which is an instrument that can determine the direction of polarization of an electromagnetic wave. This can be done by analyzing the intensity, phase, or angle of the wave.
Linear polarization describes the alignment of the electric field in a straight line, while circular polarization describes the alignment of the electric field in a circular motion. Linear polarization can be further classified as horizontal or vertical, while circular polarization can be clockwise or counterclockwise.
Polarization has many applications in science and technology, including in telecommunications, photography, and 3D imaging. It is also important in understanding the behavior of light in different materials and can provide valuable information about the structure and composition of molecules.
The human eye is not sensitive to the polarization of light, so it does not directly affect our vision. However, it can indirectly impact our vision by causing glare or reducing contrast in certain situations, such as when light is reflected off of a smooth surface.