title: Mueller matrix description of polarization mode dispersion and polarization-dependent loss.
abstract: We derive a differential equation that relates the Mueller matrices of an optical system at adjacent frequencies in the presence of polarization mode dispersion and polarization-dependent loss (PDL). We then demonstrate that a solution of this equation based on the Magnus expansion yields a description of the Mueller matrix in orders of the principal state vector that coincides with previously reported results for systems without PDL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yevick