the process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of the electric field vector
polarization in American English
(ˌpoʊlərɪˈzeɪʃən)
noun
1.
the producing of polarity in something, or the acquiring of polarity
2.
the process or condition of being divided into two opposing groups
3. Electricity
a condition in which gases produced during electrolysis accumulate on and around the electrodes of an electrical cell and reduce the flow of current by setting up an opposing potential
4. Optics
a.
the condition of electromagnetic or other waves in which the transverse motion or field of the wave is confined to one plane or one direction
b.
the production of this condition
Word origin
< polarize + -ation
Examples of 'polarization' in a sentence
polarization
But if you measure one photon first and determine its polarization, then the polarization of the other photon is instantly determined.