A complete characterization of pre-Mueller and Mueller matrices in polarization optics

Simon, BN and Simon, S and Mukunda, N and Gori, F and Santarsiero, M and Borghi, R and Simon, R (2010) A complete characterization of pre-Mueller and Mueller matrices in polarization optics. In: Journal of the Optical Society of America A: Optics, Image Science, and Vision, 27 (2). pp. 188-199.

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Abstract

The Mueller-Stokes formalism that governs conventional polarization optics is formulated for plane waves, and thus the only qualification one could require of a 4 x 4 real matrix M in order that it qualify to be the Mueller matrix of some physical system would be that M map Omega((pol)), the positive solid light cone of Stokes vectors, into itself. In view of growing current interest in the characterization of partially coherent partially polarized electromagnetic beams, there is a need to extend this formalism to such beams wherein the polarization and spatial dependence are generically inseparably intertwined. This inseparability brings in additional constraints that a pre-Mueller matrix M mapping Omega((pol)) into itself needs to meet in order to be an acceptable physical Mueller matrix. These additional constraints are motivated and fully characterized. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America

Item Type:	Journal Article
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Optical Society of America.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for High Energy Physics
Date Deposited:	09 Mar 2010 07:17
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:55
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ernet.in/id/eprint/25789

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