Superposition Flashcards
1
Q
How is light that we encounter every day from the Sun or a light bulb polarized?
A
It always has a mixture of light that’s polarized in many different directions.
2
Q
What does an equal combination of vertically and horizontally polarized light produce?
A
It produces diagonally polarized light.
3
Q
What is light that is diagonally polarized referred to, in the language of quantum mechanics?
A
Diagonally polarized light is a superposition of two components: vertical and horizontal light.
4
Q
What’s important to note about vertical and horizontal components of light?
A
We identify vertical and horizontal components of light for convenience–they’re not fundamental facts of nature.
