Dictionary:Polarization

(pō, l∂r i zā’ sh∂n) 1. Dipole moment per unit volume. In induced polarization, current dipole moment per unit volume. Also called magnetization (q.v.). 2. The polarity or potential near an electrode. 3. A preferential direction of wave motion, as the component of S-waves whose motion is confined to a horizontal plane (SH). 4. Preferential direction of motion involved in seismic wave passage, as determined with a three-component geophone or triphone. See polarization filtering. 5. Magnetic orientation concerning only the vector direction and not the magnitude.