Singular polarimetry: evolution of polarization singularities in electromagnetic waves propagating in a weakly anisotropic medium.
We describe the evolution of a paraxial electromagnetic wave characterizing by a non-uniform polarization distribution with singularities and propagating in a weakly anisotropic medium. Our approach is based on the Stokes vector evolution equation applied to a non-uniform initial polarization field. In the case of a homogeneous medium, this equation is integrated analytically. This yields a 3-dimensional distribution of the polarization parameters containing singularities, i.e. C-lines of circular polarization and L-surfaces of linear polarization. The general theory is applied to specific examples of the unfolding of a vectorial vortex in birefringent and dichroic media.
Optical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel. k.bliokh@gmail.com
Konstantin Yu
KY
Bliokh
Avi
A
Niv
Vladimir
V
Kleiner
Erez
E
Hasman
D016880:Anisotropy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*