A polarimeter fit returns the candidate Mueller matrix M _ M = pmatrix 1&0&0&0…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Optics & Photonics · Polarisation and anisotropic media · Polarisation and anisotropic media

What an Instrument Can See, Ch Polarisation as a statistical object: coherency and Mueller matrices

Problem

A polarimeter fit returns the candidate Mueller matrix MM=(100000.600.8000−0.800.6000000.75).\mathbf{M}_{\mathrm{M}}=\begin{pmatrix}1&0&0&0\\0&0.60&0.80&0\\0&-0.80&0.60&0\\0&0&0&0.75\end{pmatrix}. ((a)) Feed it horizontal linear light, Sin=(1,1,0,0)S_{\mathrm{in}}=(1,1,0,0). Find SoutS_{\mathrm{out}} and its degree of polarisation. Does this test alone decide whether MM\mathbf{M}_{\mathrm{M}} could come from a single Jones matrix? ((b)) Repeat with right-circular light, Sin=(1,0,0,1)S_{\mathrm{in}}=(1,0,0,1). Find SoutS_{\mathrm{out}} and its degree of polarisation. ((c)) State whether MM\mathbf{M}_{\mathrm{M}} can be the Mueller matrix of a single deterministic optical element, and say what part (b) shows that part (a) could not.

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