polarization, property of certain electromagnetic radiations in which the direction and magnitude of the vibrating electric field are related in a specified way.

Light waves are transverse: that is, the vibrating electric vector associated with each wave is perpendicular to the direction of propagation. A beam of unpolarized light consists of waves moving in the same direction with their electric vectors pointed in random orientations about the axis of propagation. Plane polarized light consists of waves in which the direction of vibration is the same for all waves. In circular polarization the electric vector rotates about the direction of propagation as the wave progresses. Light may be polarized by reflection or by passing it through filters, such as certain crystals, that transmit vibration in one plane but not in others.

Signal lamp for a motor vehicle with a complex reflector design is presented. The reflector is composed of set of rectangular bicubic Bezier ‘pillows’ creating desired horizontal and/or vertical light spread. Cover lens with no or weakly-spreading optics is assumed. Mathematical background is discussed in part 2 - parametric equations for individual pillow are presented, equations for control points ensuring proper optical function of the pillow are derived and parameter controlling intensity distribution of output beam is introduced. Option to prevent beam asymmetry of conventional signal lamps with big rake angles of cover lens using ‘semicomplex’ optical system (i.e. complex reflector combined with optical elements on the cover lens) is discussed, too.