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A property of waves that can oscillate with more than one orientation, polarization describes the orientation of the oscillations perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

A type of polarization where the electric field of light oscillates in a single direction or plane.

A type of polarization where the electric field of light consists of two linear components that are perpendicular to each other, oscillating out of phase, resulting in a spiral-like pattern.

A general form of polarization in which the electric field of the light describes an ellipse in any orientation in a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

The angle of incidence at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a transparent dielectric surface, with none of it being reflected. For non-magnetic materials, Brewster's angle $\theta_B$ can be calculated using the formula $\tan(\theta_B) = \frac{n_2}{n_1}$, where $n_1$ and $n_2$ are the refractive indices of the incident and transmission mediums, respectively.

The intensity $I$ of polarized light after passing through a polarizing filter is given by $I = I_0 \cos^2(\theta)$, where $I_0$ is the initial intensity and $\theta$ is the angle between the light's initial polarization direction and the axis of the filter.

A phenomenon that occurs when two polarizing filters are oriented perpendicular to each other, resulting in the blockage of most of the light passing through them.

A property of certain transparent materials that exhibit temporary double refraction and therefore polarization effects when under mechanical stress.

A process wherein light becomes polarized upon scattering. This often occurs in Earth's atmosphere where sunlight scatters off molecules in the air.

Occurs when light reflects off a surface and becomes polarized, typically with the electric field parallel to the reflecting surface being reduced or eliminated.

A difference in the refractive indices of a material in different polarization states, leading to the splitting of a light wave into two waves with perpendicular polarization states.