Consider the following statements:

1. (Electric or magnetic) field must have two orthogonal linear components.

2. The two components must have the same magnitude.

3. The two components must have a time-phase difference of odd multiples of 90°

Which of these are the necessary and sufficient conditions for a time-harmonic wave to be circularly polarized at a given point in space ?

This question was previously asked in
ESE Electronics 2010 Paper 1: Official Paper
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  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 1 and 3 only

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 1, 2 and 3
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Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Polarization:

Linear Polarization

Circular Polarization

Elliptical Polarization

E(z, t) = Ex + Ey

E(z, t) = Ex + J Ey

E(z, t) = Ex + J Ey

Phase difference δ = 2nπ

Where n = 0, 1, 2, …

Phase difference \(\left( \delta \right) = \left( {2n + 1} \right)\frac{\pi }{2}\) 

Where, n = 0, 1, 2 ….

Phase difference \(\left( \delta \right) = \left( {2n + 1} \right)\frac{\pi }{2}\) 

n = 0, 1, 2, …

 

-|Ex| = |Ey|

|Ex| ≠ Ey

 

Analysis:

From the table for circular polarization –

(i) Electric/Magnetic field has two orthogonal linear components (Ex and Ey)

(ii) two components have the same magnitudes |Ex| = |Ey|

(iii) Phase difference \(\left( \delta \right) = \left( {2n + 1} \right)\frac{\pi }{2}\)          n = 0, 1, 2 ….

i.e. odd multiple of 90°

So all statements are correct.

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