Elliptically Polarized Wave in Free Space
An elliptically polarized wave traveling in the +z direction in free space can be described by its x and y components.

X Component:
- The x component of the wave is the projection of the wave's electric field onto the x-axis.
- This component can have both magnitude and phase that vary with time.
- The x component can be represented as Ex = Acos(ωt + φx), where A is the magnitude, ω is the angular frequency, t is time, and φx is the phase.

Y Component:
- The y component of the wave is the projection of the wave's electric field onto the y-axis.
- Similar to the x component, the y component can also have varying magnitude and phase.
- The y component can be represented as Ey = Bcos(ωt + φy), where B is the magnitude, ω is the angular frequency, t is time, and φy is the phase.

Elliptical Polarization:
- The combination of the x and y components results in elliptical polarization of the wave.
- The orientation and shape of the ellipse formed by the electric field vector depend on the relative magnitudes and phases of the x and y components.
- By adjusting the magnitudes and phases of the x and y components, various types of elliptical polarization (e.g., right-hand elliptical, left-hand elliptical) can be achieved.
In conclusion, an elliptically polarized wave in free space can be decomposed into x and y components, with the combination of these components resulting in unique elliptical polarization characteristics.