title: Analysis of experimental depolarizing Mueller matrices through a hybrid decomposition.
abstract: We propose a new decomposition for depolarizing Mueller matrices. This decomposition, which consists of a product of four basic optical devices (two diattenuators, a retarder, and a depolarizer) is derived from a previous one known as "symmetric decomposition" [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A26, 1109 (2009)10.1364/JOSAA.26.001109JOAOD61084-7529] and makes it easier to interpret polarization properties of Mueller matrices and improves estimation of the extracted parameters. Its application is illustrated by several theoretical and experimental examples.
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Brun
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Le Jeune
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pellen
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivet