Circular gravitational-wave polarization
= Circular gravitational-wave polarization
{title2=$h_+=A\cos\Phi,\quad h_\times=\pm A\sin\Phi$}
Equal-amplitude <plus polarization> and <cross polarization> with a quarter-cycle phase difference form circularly polarized <gravitational radiation>. The principal transverse strain axes rotate by half the phase angle. An observer on the rotation axis of a circular binary sees this polarization; the sign distinguishes the handedness relative to a stated propagation direction.