# Thomson scattering on the electrons does not produce any circular polarization?

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All references on CMB polarization has this statement as if it is a trivial fact. But I have to admit that I completely don't understand what this sentence is telling us.

edited Mar 4, 2015

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Yes, it is a consequence of the formulation of the Stokes parameters of the outgoing beam of a monochromatic unpolarized incident plane wave and can be generalised.

By symmetry, Thomson scattering can generate no circular polarization, so V = 0 always and will not be considered further.

Introduction to microwave background polarization chap 3 , Polarization from thomson scattering

answered Oct 20, 2017 by (150 points)

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