Tunable Laser Optics

Chapter 5

Linear Polarization

5.1 MAXWELL EQUATIONS

Maxwell equations are of fundamental importance since they describe the whole of classical electromagnetic phenomena. From a classical perspective, light can be described as waves of electromagnetic radiation. As such, Maxwell equations are very useful to illustrate a number of the characteristics of light including polarization. It is customary just to state these equations without derivation. Since our goal is simply to apply them, the usual approach will be followed. However, for those interested, a derivation by Dyson (1990), attributed to Feynman, is available in the literature. Maxwell equations in the rationalized metric system are given by

(5.1)

(5.2)

(5.3)

(5.4)

(Feynman et al., ...