Analysis of generalized polarimetric measurement equation

Abstract

Generally all existed measurement strategies in polarimetry are defined by characteristics of polarimeter' polarization state generator (PSG) and polarization state analyzer (PSA) and do not allow for the polarization properties of studied medium. Exceptions are perhaps the simple cases of media characterizing by single type of anisotropy (mainly linear birefringence or optical activity). As a rule the problem is reduced to measurement of all sixteen elements of Mueller matrix. At that, the case when one measure fifteen of less matrix elements results from the characteristics of PSG and PSA and is considered as intermediate steps of certain complete measurement cycle, during which all sixteen Mueller matrix elements are measured. In this paper we present the generalized polarimetric measurement equation which permits to allowing for the inequality in accuracy of polarimetric measurements and the polarization properties of studied medium. The method is based on modification of generalized polarimetric measurement equation for maximal compliance to the matrix model of studied medium allowing for the anisotropy of medium, symmetry and sizes of scatterers etc. This requires the utilization of versatile PSG and PSA in the polarimeter.