title: Expressions for parallel decomposition of the Mueller matrix.
abstract: It is useful to convert between the Mueller matrix and two different Hermitian matrices, representing an optical material or system. We introduce forms for the matrices for transforming between the column vector forms of these different matrices. A review of matrix algebra is presented. We find that there is no great advantage, from the point of view of matrix manipulation, in using quantum mechanics ordering rather than the optical ordering of the Stokes parameters, as has been claimed elsewhere.
authors.forename: Colin J R
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castello
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaspro