===Polarization ===

Polarization is very easily visualised as pattern traced out by the E-field in any electromagnetic wave.

[[File:LHCP1.gif|frame|right|Left Hand Circularly Polarized Signal. Image reproduced from [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Circular.Polarization.Circularly.Polarized.Light_Left.Hand.Animation.305x190.255Colors.gif here]]] <br \>

[[File:RHCP1.gif|frame|right|Right Hand Circularly Polarized Signal. Image reproduced from [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Circular.Polarization.Circularly.Polarized.Light_Right.Handed.Animation.305x190.255Colors.gif here]]] <br \>

For example in the the above figure, when only E-field component of the electromagnetic wave is traced out on screen perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave, we get a straight line. Hence the polarization of this kind of electromagnetic wave is called linear. <br \>

Based on polarization there are three major types of waves: