Structure of generalized Mueller matrix including isotropic depolarization

Abstract

Polarization properties of an object in the case of its linear interaction with electromagnetic radiation (frequency of radiation does not change, and object properties are the same in time of interaction) can be described by using 4/spl times/4 Mueller matrix with real elements. For various classes of the objects their Mueller matrices consist of various number of independent elements. The Muller matrix of deterministic class consists of seven independent elements (parameters or freedom degrees) and can be derived from 2/spl times/2 Jones matrix with complex elements transforming electric field components. This matrix has been called pure Mueller or Mueller-Jones matrix. The existence of the only seven independent elements imposes some constraints on inner structure of Mueller-Jones matrix. The main goal of the present paper is the study of the inner symmetric structure of generalized Mueller matrices of these classes of objects and tracing the character of transformation of the previously established Mueller-Jones matrix symmetry structure as a result of taking into account isotropic depolarization.