Polarization & Jones Calculus

Jones Calculus

Input Polarization

Type

Angle θ (for linear) 0°

Phase δ 0°

Optical Elements (chain)

Element 1

Element 2

Analyzer angle 0°

Jones Vectors

Input: —

Output: —

Intensity: —

Malus law I: —

Stokes / Poincaré

S₁: — (H−V)

S₂: — (D−A)

S₃: — (R−L)

Jones vector: (Ex, Ey·e^{iδ})
Mueller calculus uses real 4×4 matrices on Stokes vectors.

Poincaré sphere: poles = circular, equator = linear.

Malus's law: I = I₀cos²(θ) for linear polarizer at angle θ.