A mode of radio wave propagation in which the electric field vector rotates clockwise (when viewed in the direction of the wave's propagation) in a circular path over one period of the wave. Like its left-handed counterpart, this polarisation type is useful in environments where the orientation between the transmitter and receiver antennas may not be fixed or known, as it helps maintain signal integrity regardless of antenna orientation. In right hand circular polarisation, the field vector follows a right-handed, or clockwise, spiral path.
The term hand is used as it refers to the formation of a "thumbs up" with a persons left hand, where the thumb indicates the direction of wave propagation, and the fingers curl in the direction of the circular rotation.