Polarizing grids, their assemblies, and beams of radiation

This paper gives an analysis of the behavior of polarizing grids and reflec ting polarizers by solving Maxwell's equations, for arbitrary angles of inc idence and grid rotation, for cases where the excitation is provided by an incident plane wave or a beam of radiation. The scattering and impedance ma trix representations are derived and used to solve more complicated configu rations of grid assemblies. The results are also compared with data obtaine d in the calibration of reflecting polarizers at the Owens Valley Radio Obs ervatory. From this analysis, we propose a method for choosing the optimum grid parameters (wire radius and spacing). We also provide a study of the e ffects of two types of errors (in wire separation and radius size) that can be introduced in the fabrication of a grid.