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Light Right-Hand Rule

Light is a transverse electromagnetic wave. The electric EE and magnetic M

M fields are perpendicular to each
other and to the propagation vector kk, as shown below.
Power density is given by Poynting’s vector, PP, the vector product of EE and H
H. You can easily remember
the directions if you “curl” EE into H
H with the fingers of the right hand: your thumb points in the direction of
propagation.

Intensity Nomogram

The nomogram below relates EE, H

H, and the light intensity II in vacuum. You may also use it for other area
2
units, for example, [V/mm], [A/mm] and [W/mm ]. If you change the electrical units, remember to change
2
the units of I by the product of the units of E and H: for example [V/m], [mA/m], [mW/m ] or [kV/m],
2
[kA/m], [MW/m ].

Light Intensity

2
The light intensity, I is measured in Watts/m , E in Volts/m, and H in Amperes/m. The equations relating I
to E and H are quite analogous to OHMS LAW. For peak values these equations are:

The quantity η is the wave impedance of vacuum, and η is the wave impedance of a medium with
0
refractive index n.

Wave Quantity Relationship

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