  This article gives an analysis of the behavior of polarizing grids and
reflecting polarizers by solving Maxwell's equations, for arbitrary angles of
incidence and grid rotation, for cases where the excitation is provided by an
incident plane wave or a beam of radiation. The scattering and impedance matrix
representations are derived and used to solve more complicated configurations
of grid assemblies. The results are also compared with data obtained in the
calibration of reflecting polarizers at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory
(OVRO). From this analysis, we propose a method for choosing the optimum grid
parameters (wire radius and spacing). We also provide a study of the effects of
two types of errors (in wire separation and radius size) that can be introduced
in the fabrication of a grid.
