Abstract
The polarization of light when it passes through optical medium can change as a result of change in the amplitude (dichroism) or phase shift (birefringence) of the electric vector. The anisotropic properties of media can be determined from these two optical effects. Our main concern here is to revisit the factor of eigenpolarizations and eigenvalues in modeling of polarization properties of homogeneous media and elucidate certain new features in polarization behavior of birefringent and dichroic media.
Highlights
EPJ Web of ConferencesGeneral diattenuators and retarders are nondepolarizing optical elements and, by virtue of Eq (1), can be considered as the two “building blocks” of any nondepolarizing optical system
The Jones matrix providing a full information about what can happen with polarization of light passing through the medium, does not, provide clear and immediate insight into the polarization properties
Our aim here is revisiting of known matrix models of homogeneous anisotropic media to find out what exact conclusions we can deduce basing on each of them about inner arrangement of various classes the homogeneous media from polarization point of view, to outline main features – capabilities and restrictions - of physical interpretation for various models and, to answer the question what combinations of anisotropy make the medium to exhibit dichroic, birefringent, degenerate and some other types of polarization behavior
Summary
General diattenuators and retarders are nondepolarizing optical elements and, by virtue of Eq (1), can be considered as the two “building blocks” of any nondepolarizing optical system. In spite of the fact that effect of the polarization element characterized by circular amplitude anisotropy on polarization of incident light can undoubtedly be formally interpreted on basis of certain arrangements of polarization elements characterized by linear amplitude, linear and circular phase anisotropy, circular amplitude anisotropy results from the non-locality of the medium response on incident electromagnetic radiation and, can never be physically reduced to the other types of elementary anisotropy This means that circular amplitude anisotropy has to include in interpretation of either the polar decomposition or any other matrix model of homogeneous medium. We wish to note that the matrix model Eq(2) is general in the sense that the Jones matrix of any nondepolarizing polarization element, regardless of its specific realization or arrangement, can be presented as a combination of the Jones matrices of the four basic elements This matrix model consists of all four elementary types of anisotropy and is not deduced from the polar decomposition but is a direct generalization of first and second Jones equivalence theorems. In terms of complex variables [11] it means that the following conditions is satisfied
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