plane polarization

1. In an electromagnetic wave, such as a lightwave or a radio wave, polarization of the electric and magnetic field vectors such that (a) they both remain in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of propagation, (b) the orientation of the plane usually is constant with respect to distance coordinates or with respect to the longitudinal axis of a waveguide, (c) the orientation of the plane does not change with time, except perhaps slowly compared to the frequency, and (d) a slowly rotating source is capable of producing plane polarized waves at each instant. 2. The polarization of a plane-polarized electromagnetic wave. See alsoelectric field vector, electromagnetic wave, frequency, instant, light ray, lightwave, magnetic field vector, plane-polarized electromagnetic wave, polarization, propagation, source, waveguide.