Optical field

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The optical field is a term used in physics and vector calculus to designate the electric field shown as E in the electromagnetic wave equation which can be derived from Maxwell's Equations. In electromagnetic theory, the electromagnetic wave propagates because the longitudinal waves of the magnetic field oscillate in the same direction as the direction of propagation, while transverse waves of the electrical field oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation. As with any wave, the electromagnetic wave transports energy, thus the total energy density is shared between the constituent electric and magnetic fields. Since the electric field is considerably more effective at exerting forces and doing work on charges than the magnetic field, the electric field E is referred to as the optical field.

Disambiguation: For the different scientific fields that consider optics, see Optics.

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