Polarization

(po-Iar-iz-a'-shun). act of forming poles or points of intensity having qualities mutually opposite. P., Chromatic, polarization accompanied by a play of colors. P., Circular, the turning of the plane of polarization to the right or left. P. of Light, the breaking up of a ray of light into two separate parts whose planes of vibration are at right angles to each other. It is usually accomplished bypa ing the ray through a doubly refracting medium.