Polarization in the 3D Revolution
Polarization is a property of waves. Waves have oscillations (repetitive movements in time) and it seeks to describe the orientation of these oscillations in space.
This phenomenon has several applications in everyday life. It occurs in several spheres of pure and applied sciences (such as engineering) as well as environmental geography and astronomy. Interestingly, it also has applications in art and Television.
Applications of polarization in technology
The well known Liquid Crystal Display used in several appliances and devices is a classical example of this phenomenon.
Vertical, horizontal and elliptical polarizations are among the various shades of this subject with different applications in TV satellite systems and satellite communications.
In engineering, a combination of electronic birefringence and polarization filtration are utilized as modulators in fiber optics.
This phenomenon is also utilized in some films such that with the use of polarization filters, each eye receives just the right image to produce a desired effect.
Polarization Applications in Biology
Certain animals are known to use this phenomenon in nature for the purpose of navigation. Insects such as bees are believed to be capable of perceiving the polarization of the sky to orient their communication dances such as the waggle dance and round dance described by Aristotle in 330 BC.
The ability of the unaided human eye to detect polarized light is very limited. This phenomenon is responsible for what is referred Haidinger's brush, a faint pattern near the centre of the visual field.
Polarization in chemistry
Certain molecules are known to be optically active. They are called “chiral” molecules. These molecules display the property of circular birefringence and as well as circular dichroism. The dipole moment of a covalent bond is also attributable to the effects of this phenomenon.
Polarization in astronomy
The well known effects of thermal radiation and electromagnetic radiation from outer space are among its applications in astronomy.
Polarization and Television; Emerging New Trends
In TV communications, horizontal polarization is what has been traditionally used, as against vertical and horizontal polarization used in satellite communication systems.
However, the number of people receiving TV transmission through the traditional fixed system has been found to be dropping. In order to remain relevant, the industry has had to respond to the teeming numbers of people who now seek to receive TV transmission through portable devices like laptops, PDAs, mobile phones etc
This need necessitated a shift in the traditional solely horizontal polarization used for TV transmissions. Though not yet widespread, but a few TV stations (about 6%) now transmit using vertical polarization in order to increase their coverage not in terms of spatial coverage, but in terms of reaching those people who will only watch TV on mobile devices.
Applications of Circular Polarization to TV
One interesting dimension of all this is the use of polarization lenses to produce 3D images in TV. Big giants in the TV industry are now embracing circularly polarization 3D glasses to deliver the next generation of 3D TV viewing to their clients.
Hollywood has already joined the wagon of 3D projection thus reawakening the move the industry originally pioneered before and after the so-called golden era of 3D technology. Viewers in some theatres are now required to wear circularly polarized lenses to watch their popular films in 3D.
It is not clear how these providers of TV entertainment will compete with their in the TV manufacturing industry who have already gone introduced products using the principle autostereoscopy. By this principle, images are automatically perceived by the viewer in 3D without the instrumentality of 3D viewing lenses.
This technology when fully introduced will give multiple viewers the opportunity of simultaneous 3D experience. It does appear that the “format war” predicted by some technology pundits is almost inevitable.