Different approach to the rotation of electric field vector of circularly polarized EM waves. A review

Abstract

In circular (and elliptical) polarization the electric E and magnetic H fields rotate, i.e. are in motion at a constant rate in the appropriate plane as the electromagnetic (EM) wave propagates. In technical literature there is a dual approach to the rotation of the vector E for circularly polarized waves, depending on the position of an "observer's eye" in relation to the direction of the wave propagation. There are non-identical traditions and agreements regarding right-hand and left-hand polarization between specialists from different area of knowledge as well as the preferences of individual scientists. For example, in radar astronomy, the "observer's eye" is positioned against EM waves spreading from a wave source towards the "observer's eye". In optics the "observer's eye" may be located on the side of the wave source and sees the wave propagating away from the "observer's side". The contrast approach can be partly explained by differences in measurement techniques in separate areas of science. This ambiguity in the approach to the circular polarization definitions may also complicate the educational process. Here we analyse the definitions of terms related to the circularly polarized waves which are recommended for use in IEEE standards and definitions applying in scientific papers. It should be noted that usually approaches are correct, the problem arises only when the location of the observer's eye is not fixed in space.