title: Parameterization of the Mueller matrix.
abstract: A deterministic Mueller matrix (Mueller-Jones matrix) contains seven independent parameters. By writing the so-called coherence vector in parametric form, the Mueller matrix can also be written in parametric form, where the matrix elements automatically satisfy the known relationships between each other. Three of these parameters are also related to the so-called anisotropy coefficients. The approach is generalized to express all 16 elements of a general Mueller matrix in terms of a scalar and five three-dimensional vectors. Many properties of a Mueller matrix can be written simply in terms of these vectors. Published experimental matrices are considered by this procedure.
authors.forename: Colin J R
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sheppard