Unified theory of coherence and polarization of random electromagnetic beams

Polarimetry has a long and successful history in various forms of clear media. Driven by their biomedical potential, the use of the polarimetric approaches for biological tissue assessment has also recently received considerable attention. Specifically, polarization can be used as an effective tool to discriminate against multiply scattered light (acting as a gating mechanism) in order to enhance contrast and to improve tissue imaging resolution. Moreover, the intrinsic tissue polarimetry characteristics contain a wealth of morphological and functional information of potential biomedical importance. However, in a complex random medium-like tissue, numerous complexities due to multiple scattering and simultaneous occurrences of many scattering and polarization events present formidable challenges both in terms of accurate measurements and in terms of analysis of the tissue polarimetry signal. In order to realize the potential of the polarimetric approaches for tissue imaging and characterization/diagnosis, a number of researchers are thus pursuing innovative solutions to these challenges. In this review paper, we summarize these and other issues pertinent to the polarized light methodologies in tissues. Specifically, we discuss polarized light basics, Stokes-Muller formalism, methods of polarization measurements, polarized light modeling in turbid media, applications to tissue imaging, inverse analysis for polarimetric results quantification, applications to quantitative tissue assessment, etc.

/pdf/tissue-polarimetry-concepts-challenges-applications-and-4fp6pfuwhm.pdf

Tissue polarimetry: concepts, challenges, applications, and outlook

Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) provides depth resolved measurements of the polarization state of light reflected from turbid media such as tissue. The theory and calculation of the Stokes vector of light reflected from turbid media is described and application of PS-OCT to contemporary biomedical imaging problems is given. Measurement of the depth resolved Stokes parameters allows determination of the degree of polarization and optical axis orientation in turbid media that can be modeled as a linear retarder. Effect of multiple scattering and speckle on the accuracy and noise of the computed Stokes parameters is discussed. Future directions for development of PS-OCT instrumentation for biological and medical applications is given.

https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/Journal-of-Biomedical-Optics/volume-7/issue-03/0000/Review-of-polarization-sensitive-optical-coherence-tomography-and-Stokes-vector/10.1117/1.1483879.pdf

Review of polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography and Stokes vector determination.

Spin optics provides a route to control light, whereby the photon helicity (spin angular momentum) degeneracy is removed due to a geometric gradient onto a metasurface. The alliance of spin optics and metamaterials offers the dispersion engineering of a structured matter in a polarization helicity-dependent manner. We show that polarization-controlled optical modes of metamaterials arise where the spatial inversion symmetry is violated. The emerged spin-split dispersion of spontaneous emission originates from the spin-orbit interaction of light, generating a selection rule based on symmetry restrictions in a spin-optical metamaterial. The inversion asymmetric metasurface is obtained via anisotropic optical antenna patterns. This type of metamaterial provides a route for spin-controlled nanophotonic applications based on the design of the metasurface symmetry properties.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/340/6133/724.full.pdf

Spin-Optical Metamaterial Route to Spin-Controlled Photonics

Owing to their vital role in creating and controlling polarized light, birefringent materials are used extensively in various advanced optical systems which in turn impact a large, rapidly increasing range of applications in science and technology. Currently, the fairly small birefringence of MgF2 and the low transmittance of α-BaB2O4 (α-BBO) hinder their efficient application for wavelength below 200 nm. For example, deep-ultraviolet (DUV) birefringent materials for light polarization are urgently needed for DUV lithography. Here we demonstrate based on computational and experimental results that parallel chains of corner-connected planar sp2-hybridized BO3 groups found in Ca(BO2)2 effectively produce large birefringence. Ca(BO2)2 achieves three vital “best” properties including the shortest UV cutoff edge, the largest birefringence, and the highest laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) compared to all the reported borate birefringent materials. On the basis of a Ca(BO2)2 single crystal, a DUV Glan polar...

Designing an Excellent Deep-Ultraviolet Birefringent Material for Light Polarization.

Part 1 The classical optical field: the wave equation in classical optics the polarization ellipse the Stokes polarization parameters the Mueller matrices for polarizing components methods for measuring the Stokes polarization parameters the measurement of the characteristics of polarizing elements Mueller matrices for reflection and transmission the Mueller matrices for dielectric plates the Jones matrix calculus the Poincare sphere the interface laws of Fresnel and Arago Part 2 The classical and quantum theory of radiation by accelerating charges: Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field the classical radiation field radiation from accelerating charges the radiation of an accelerating change in the electromagnetic field the classical Zeeman effect further applications of the classical radiation theory the Stokes parameters and the Mueller matrices for optical and Fararaday rotation the Stokes parameters for quantum systems Part 3 Applications: crystal optics optics of metals ellipsometry

Polarized light. Fundamentals and applications

Field Guide to Polarization

The Stokes formulation for representing polarized light is discussed along with the classical measurement method for determining the Stokes polarization parameters. The limitations of this method are noted, and we consider the rotating quarter-waveplate method, which avoids the limitations of the classical method and allows a curve fitting algorithm to be used to determine the Stokes parameters. The quarter-waveplate method is attractive because of its accuracy and simplicity and can be implemented in an undergraduate or graduate optics course with a minimum amount of equipment.

Measuring the Stokes polarization parameters

Polarized Light in Fiber Optics

The classical Stokes polarization parameters are extended to treat quantum systems. This is accomplished by using the semiclassical radiation theory and considering only radiation by the dipole mechanism. The identification of the Stokes parameters with the density matrix elements is noted. The Stokes parameters for a number of familiar quantum systems which undergo dipole radiation are then calculated.

Edward Collett

Papers

Polarized light. Fundamentals and applications

Field Guide to Polarization

Measuring the Stokes polarization parameters

Polarized Light in Fiber Optics

Stokes Parameters for Quantum Systems