plane-polarized light

Definition: Beam of light in which most of the light waves vibrate with the same orientation. * Light in which the electric vectors of the majority are oriented parallel to each other. Polarization is a fact of life Light is very often polarized: birds and bees rely on it to go about their business -- that is, to navigate by. It happens every time light reflects off most non-metal (dielectric) substances -- most clearly seen in glass, water, polished tables and also leaves. Photographically, we use polarizing filters -- usually not to create polarization as such but to clean out polarized light. These filters are not efficient, so cost is that quite a lot other light is also suppressed. Also many filters are not neutral in colour: it pays to spend the money to get truly neutral polarizing filters.

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