linear polarization

Linear polarization is a property of electromagnetic radiation, such as light, where the electric field vibrates in a single, fixed plane. Unpolarized light has electric vectors oriented randomly, while linearly polarized light has all electric vectors aligned in the same direction, perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.1

This type of polarization can be achieved through various methods. Passing light through polarizing filters, like those made of aligned hydrocarbon molecules in Polaroid, can filter out vibrations not parallel to the filter's alignment, resulting in linearly polarized light. Additionally, when light reflects off nonmetallic surfaces at a specific angle (Brewster's angle), the reflected light becomes linearly polarized parallel to the surface. Scattering of light by small particles, such as air molecules in the atmosphere, also produces linearly polarized light.2