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Differential matrices for depolarizing media

Published

Author(s)

Thomas A. Germer

Abstract

The evolution of a Stokes vector through depolarizing media is considered. A general form for the differential matrix is derived that is appropriate in the presence of depolarization, and is parameterized in a manner that ensures that it yields, upon integration, a valid Mueller matrix for any choice of parameters with some limited constraints. The form expands the more limited form for a non-depolarizing matrix given by Azzam [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68, 1756-1767 (1978)] and which was extended recently by others to include depolarization. A decomposition for a Mueller matrix is proposed, based upon the parameters for the differential matrix, which when integrated over unit length, would yield the same Mueller matrix.
Citation
Optics Letters
Volume
37
Issue
5

Keywords

depolarization, Mueller matrix, polarization

Citation

Germer, T. (2012), Differential matrices for depolarizing media, Optics Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909647 (Accessed October 9, 2024)

Issues

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Created March 1, 2012, Updated February 19, 2017