Level of imagination
The plane of incidence is a term from optics and electrodynamics . Applies light (radiation, generally electromagnetic waves ) to a boundary surface, so tensioning direction of incidence and the solder on the boundary surface, the incidence plane on. In reflection of light of the reflected light beam also lies in the plane of incidence as well as the refracted ray, if at the interface refraction occurs.
The polarization state of the light is usually given in relation to the plane of incidence.
With linearly polarized light, for example, a distinction can be made between transversely electrical (polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence) and transversely magnetic (polarized parallel to the plane of incidence) light. While in the first the vibration plane of the electric field is perpendicular to the plane of incidence, in the second it is the vibration plane of the magnetic field. As with all electromagnetic waves, the plane of oscillation of the electric field, the plane of oscillation of the magnetic field and the direction of propagation of the wave are perpendicular to each other at each point.
Depending on the polarization of the light in relation to the plane of incidence, the refraction and reflection properties change .
For Brewster's angles , Fresnel's formulas and ellipsometry , the polarization with respect to the plane of incidence plays a role.