Order Dependence And Independence Of Weak Polarization Elements

Russell A. Chipman

doi:10.1117/12.962885

25 January 1990 Order Dependence And Independence Of Weak Polarization Elements

Russell A. Chipman

Proceedings Volume 1166, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962885
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The order dependence of weak polarization elements is investigated and it is shown that weak polarization elements are very weakly order dependent; if the diattenuation or retardance is a small term, the order dependence is a higher order term. This has particular application to the polarization properties of an arbitrary ray path through a sequence of antireflection coatings. The polarization properties are explored through expansion of Jones matrices into sums of Pauli spin matrices. It is shown that the polarization properties of a meridional ray path are independent of the order in which the interfaces are encountered, and that the ray path will act as a linear diattenuator aligned or perpendicular to the meridional plane and/or as a linear retarder aligned or perpendicular to the meridional plane. A skew ray does have order dependence in its polarization properties. Due to these order dependent terms, the ray path in general acts as an elliptical diattenuator and/or retarder, despite the fact that all individual interfaces act only as linear polarization elements.

Citation Download Citation

Russell A. Chipman "Order Dependence And Independence Of Weak Polarization Elements", Proc. SPIE 1166, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems II, (25 January 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962885

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available