Plane of incidence

The plane of incidence is a term used in optics and electrodynamics. When light (radiation, generally electromagnetic waves) to a boundary surface, so the incident direction stretch and the perpendicular to the boundary surface to the plane of incidence. In reflection of light of the reflected light beam is also located in the plane of incidence as well as the refracted ray, if occurring at the interface refraction.

The polarization state of the light is indicated in general with respect to the plane of incidence.

When linearly polarized light, for example, can be distinguished ( polarized perpendicular to the incidence plane ) between transverse electric and transverse magnetic ( polarized parallel to the plane of incidence ) light. While at first the level of vibration of the electric field is perpendicular to the incidence plane, it is the plane of oscillation of the magnetic field in the second. As with all the electromagnetic waves are also light in the oscillation plane of the electric field, the plane of oscillation of the magnetic field and the propagation direction of the wave at each point in pairs perpendicular to each other.

Dependent, based on the polarization of the light on the plane of incidence vary reflection and refraction properties.

For Brewster's angle, Fresnel's formulas and ellipsometry the polarization plays a role with respect to the plane of incidence.