title: Vector and matrix states for Mueller matrices of nondepolarizing optical media.
abstract: Nondepolarizing Mueller matrices contain up to seven independent parameters. However, these seven parameters typically do not appear explicitly among the measured 16 parameters of a Mueller matrix, so that they are not directly accessible for physical interpretation. This work shows that all the information contained in a nondepolarizing Mueller matrix can be conveniently expressed in terms of a four component covariance vector state or a generating 4×4 matrix, which can be understood as a matrix state. The generating matrix, besides being directly related to the nondepolarizing Mueller matrix, mimics all properties of the Jones matrix and provides a powerful mathematical tool for formulating all properties of nondepolarizing systems, including the Mueller symmetries and the anisotropy coefficients.
authors.forename: Ertan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuntman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali Kuntman
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arteaga