On linearly polarized electromagnetic waves of arbitrary form

Abstract

ABSTRACTTwo simple laws connecting the amplitude and phase functions of a monochromatic electromagnetic wave of arbitrary form are derived, holding in the case when one of the field vectors is linearly polarized. The first is a generalized Fermat's principle which enables determination of the phase when the amplitude is known; the second expresses the propagation of the (vector) amplitude along the curves orthogonal to the co-phasal surfaces. Some other general properties of linearly polarized fields are also discussed, and illustrative examples are given.