Linear optics of polarization sheets

We develop a theory in which thin films or monolayers of strongly polarizable molecules are described as linear polarization sheets. We show that this concept in combination with the transfer matrix method allows a transparent derivation of the transmission and reflection properties of a composite interface.     

Symmetry entanglement in polarization biphoton optics

We study kinematic and dynamic ways of forming entangled states of quantum light fields due to their local and global polarization SU(2) symmetries. The kinematic entanglement is shown to be associated with particular polarization bases in the spaces of quantum states of multi-mode radiation, which are generated by the global SU(2) — symmetry. Dynamic entanglement is due to SU(2) symmetries of the Hamiltonians of the matter-radiation interaction. We also define some entanglement measures, which are related to characteristics of light depolarization. Applications of results obtained in biphoton optics are briefly discussed.     

Use of Dirac matrices in polarization optics

Several matrix methods have been developed for studying polarization properties of light. Jones was the first to apply the matrix method to the study of polarization optics. In Jones matrix formalism the polarized wave field is represented by 2-element column matrix known as Jones Vector and the polarization device encountered by light is represented by a 2×2 matrix, known as the characteristic Jones matrix of the device. Mueller introduced a new matrix method where the wave field is represented by a 4-dimensional vector. The elements of the vector are the Stokes parameters of the beam. In Mueller matrix formalism the optical device is represented by a 4×4 real matrix known as ‘Mueller Matrix’ of the device. The use of coherency matrix also proves to the useful in the study of partially polarized light. Pauli spin matrices have been used to unify the different matrix treatments of polarization optical phenomena. The present article is an attempt to unify the analysis of polarization phenomena using Dirac matrices used by Dirac in quantum mechanics. We have however redefined the set of Dirac matrices in terms of the Kronecher product of Pauli spin matrices.     

Optical-mechanical analogy in problems of polarization optics

Within the framework of optical-mechanical analogy, the problem of propagation of polarized light (both linear and circular) is studied for a medium with the inhomogeneity of dielectrical permittivity and gyrotropy. The analysis is carried out both with use of a system of coupled equations and the Poincare sphere.     

光学教学中的偏振度定义

分析了当前国内部分光学教材中对偏振度定义的歧义,指出依照电矢量在不同方向上的强度来定义偏振度的不完整性,并由此提出教学中的注意点．     

Wigner rotations and Iwasawa decompositions in polarization optics

Wigner rotations and Iwasawa decompositions are manifestations of the internal space-time symmetries of massive and massless particles, respectively. It is shown to be possible to produce combinations of optical filters which exhibit transformations corresponding to Wigner rotations and Iwasawa decompositions. This is possible because the combined effects of rotation, phase-shift, and attenuation filters lead to transformation matrices of the six-parameter Lorentz group applicable to Jones vectors and Stokes parameters for polarized light waves. The symmetry transformations in special relativity lead to a set of experiments which can be performed in optics laboratories.     

Application of Planar Poincaré Chart in polarization optics

A Planar Poincar Chart which describes the polarized state of light and its change as it through a polarized device is proposed in this paper. It provides a method for polarization analysis and polarization device design.     

Four layer polymeric mode polarization filter for integrated optics

We report on our systematic study of fabrication and characterization of four-layer polymer waveguides. Various optical properties (such as refractive index, birefringence, and propagation loss) of polycarbonate and polystyrene waveguides are presented. The thin film structure consisting of glass/polycarbonate/polystyrene/air has been used for demonstrating polarization filter action because the two polymers are quite different with respect to their optical anisotropy. Modal electric field plots for both TE and TM are generated to support the observed behavior. It is also observed that the four-layer lightguide exhibits relatively low loss values compared to the monolayer configuration.     

Multilayer polymeric mode and polarization filters for integrated optics

We demonstrate theoretically as well as experimentally that a four-layer polymeric waveguide structure can be used to produce a mode and a polarization filter. Various optical properties such as refractive index, birefringence and propagation constant of polycarbonate, polystyrene and a commercially available photoresist (from Shipley) are presented. The thin film structures consisting of glass/polycarbonate/polystyrene/air are used for demonstrating polarization filter action and glass/photoresist/polystyrene/air structure for mode filter. Expressions for the electric field intensity spatial distribution for the structure are used to calculate the intensity profiles to support the observed behavior. The experimental values were in good agreement with the one obtained theoretically.     

Local control of light polarization with low-temperature fiber optics

A fiber-optic-based polarization control system that uses a backreflection measurement scheme at low temperatures has been developed. This provides a stringent test of the light polarization state at the output of the fiber, allowing for determination and control of the degree of circular polarization; i.e., it can generate linear, right, or left circular polarization with cryogenic fibers. This polarization controller is paving the way toward the control and manipulation of nuclear spins in semiconductors via the optical Overhauser effect and could be used, for example, for the purpose of quantum information processing with the large nuclear spins of GaAs.     

The connection between Mueller and Jones matrices of polarization optics

A necessary and sufficient condition for the 4 × 4 Mueller matrix to be derivable from the 2 × 2 Jones matrix is obtained. This condition allows one to determine if a given Mueller matrix describes a totally polarized system or a partially polarized (depolarizing) system. The result of Barakat is analysed in the light of this condition. A recently reported experimentally measured Mueller matrix is examined using this condition and is shown to represent a partially polarized system.     

Quantum theory of light and noise polarization in nonlinear optics

We present a consistent quantum theory of the electromagnetic field in nonlinearly responding causal media, with special emphasis on Chi(2) media. Starting from QED in linearly responding causal media, we develop a method to construct the cubic Hamiltonian expressed in terms of the complex nonlinear susceptibility in a quantum mechanically consistent way. In particular, we show that the method yields the nonlinear noise polarization, which together with the linear one is responsible for intrinsic quantum decoherence.     

The method of polarization tomography of radiation in quantum optics

The essence and basic structural elements of the method of polarization tomography of quantum radiation (the reconstruction of the polarization states of a field solely from polarization measurements) are described. The essential features of the method are discussed in comparison with usual field and spin tomographies. A general scheme for experimentally implementing this method is suggested and its use in polarization tomography of biphotonic radiation with hidden polarization is briefly analyzed.     

Vectorial Pauli algebraic approach in polarization optics. II. Interaction of light with the canonical polarization devices

A theoretical approach to the interaction between polarized light and polarization devices, based on the vectorial and pure operatorial form of the Pauli algebra, is presented. In the first part of the paper we have established the vectorial Pauli-algebraic forms of the operators corresponding to various polarization devices and states of light polarization. In this second part we give the vectorial Pauli-algebraic treatment of the interaction between the canonical polarization devices and the various forms of light polarization. Unlike the standard (Jones and Mueller) approaches, this formalism does not appeal to any matrix representation of the involved operators. This approach establishes a bridge between the Hilbert space of the density operators of the polarization states and the Poincaré space of their geometric representations and gives a rigorous justification of the handling of the interactions between the polarization states and polarization systems on the Poincaré sphere and in the Poincaré ball. In such an approach, unlike the standard ones, the three relevant quantities that characterize the interaction - the gain, the Poincaré vector of the outgoing light and its degree of polarization - result straightforwardly, in block. A generalized form of Malus’ law, for any dichroic device and partially polarized light is also obtained this way.     

Design of a new kind of polarization splitter based on transformation optics

A scheme for a new two-dimensional polarization splitter is proposed based on the transformation optics. When a beam of arbitrary polarization illuminates upon the proposed polarization splitter, the TE (or TM) component is deflected whereas the TM (or TE) component propagates with no deflection. Moreover, the emerging propagation direction of the deflected component can be adjusted by rotating the polarization splitter. The simulation results demonstrated the feasibility and the flexibility of the polarization splitter. Design details and full-wave simulation results are provided.     

Laser cavities and polarization optics for soft X-rays and the extreme ultraviolet

Addressed here are polarization optics for extreme-ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths, especially as relevant to laser cavities. It is pointed out that the whisper-gallery mirrors studied by Vinogradov can serve as weak polarizers and, more importantly, as birefringent elements. The application of multilayer technology to polarizing mirrors and beamsplitters is also considered. It is shown that multilayer beamsplitters can function both as reflective and transmissive polarizers. Their behavior is surprising in some cases, with the same polarization being preferred in both reflection and transmission. Three polarizing cavity schemes are proposed, each incorporating a polarizing beamsplitter as its output coupler. Cavity optimization issues are discussed.     

Spin polarization of electrons by nonmagnetic heterostructures: the basics of spin optics

We propose to use the lateral interface between two regions with different strengths of the spin-orbit interaction(s) to spin polarize the electrons in gated two-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures. For a beam with a nonzero angle of incidence, the transmitted electrons will split into two spin polarization components propagating at different angles. We analyze the refraction at such an interface and outline the basic schemes for filtration and control of the electron spin.     

Biphotons,squeezing, and new states of light in polarization quantum optics

The concept of squeezing is discussed for multimode quantum light beams with consideration of polarization using the polarization gaugeSU (2) invariance of free electromagnetic fields. We separate the polarization and biphoton degrees of freedom from other ones, and consider uncertainty relations characterizing polarization and biphoton observables. As a consequence, we obtain a new classification of polarization states of light within quantum optics. We also discuss briefly some interrelations of our analysis with experiments related to some fundamental problems of physics.     

Hamilton’s theory of turns and a new geometrical representation for polarization optics

Hamilton’s theory of turns for the group SU(2) is exploited to develop a new geometrical representation for polarization optics. While pure polarization states are represented by points on the Poincaré sphere, linear intensity preserving optical systems are represented by great circle arcs on another sphere. Composition of systems, and their action on polarization states, are both reduced to geometrical operations. Several synthesis problems, especially in relation to the Pancharatnam-Berry-Aharonov-Anandan geometrical phase, are clarified with the new representation. The general relation between the geometrical phase, and the solid angle on the Poincaré sphere, is established.