Tutorial

Applet Tutorial

This applet is most effectively used when only one of the parameter (i.e. the x-y components and the relative phase) is changed at a time and not both. For instance, one might want to observe how by changing the x-y components affects the state of polarization at a specific relative phase, then one would set the relative phase and varies the x-y components.

How to adjust the x-y components:
- The slide bar labeled x component on top and y component at the bottom adjusts x-y components.
- The x and y component always add up to 10a on the display. Notice then the absolute value of the amplitude varies as x and y components vary, but for this applet, the absolute value is of no importance.
How to adjust the relative phase:
- The slide bar labeled relative phase adjusts the relative phase of the y component with respect to the x component.
- The relative phase may be varied from 0 to 2π (0 to 360°).