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:

* '''Linearly polarized:''' The above wave is a example of linearly polarised wave. In linear polarization, the line traced by E-field can be in any orientation.

* '''Circularly polarized:''' Consider two linearly polarised waves of equal magnitude perpendicular to each other. If we create a phase difference of 90° between them and add them, we will get a circular polarized wave. i.e. the E-field of the wave will trace out a circle. The circle can right handed (Right Hand Circular Polarization or RHCP) or left handed (Left Hand Circular Polarization or LHCP) depending on which wave is leading or lagging.