Fresnel's original interpretation of complex numbers in 19th century optics

TY - JOUR

T1 - Fresnel's original interpretation of complex numbers in 19th century optics

AU - Avelar Sotomaior Karam, Ricardo

PY - 2018/4/1

Y1 - 2018/4/1

N2 - In 1823, Fresnel published an original (physical) interpretation of complex numbers in his investigations of refraction and reflection of polarized light. This is arguably the first time that complex numbers were given a physical interpretation, which led to a better understanding of elliptical and circular polarizations. This rather unknown episode of the history of physics is described in this work, and some of the pedagogical lessons that can be extracted from it are discussed.

AB - In 1823, Fresnel published an original (physical) interpretation of complex numbers in his investigations of refraction and reflection of polarized light. This is arguably the first time that complex numbers were given a physical interpretation, which led to a better understanding of elliptical and circular polarizations. This rather unknown episode of the history of physics is described in this work, and some of the pedagogical lessons that can be extracted from it are discussed.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044288020&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1119/1.5011366

DO - 10.1119/1.5011366

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0002-9505

VL - 86

SP - 245

EP - 249

JO - American Journal of Physics

JF - American Journal of Physics

IS - 4

ER -