Stokes parameters
Set of values describing polarization state of electromagnetic radiation.
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They were defined by George Gabriel Stokes in 1851 as a mathematically convenient alternative to describing radiation by its total intensity, degree of polarization, and polarization ellipse.[1] Electromagnetic radiation's polarization state is represented by a collection of values called the Stokes parameters.[1] Observable phenomena allow direct determination of these parameters.[2]
Quick Facts
- Defined by
- George Gabriel Stokes
- Field
- Polarization of electromagnetic radiation
- Known for
- Stokes parameters
- Stokes vector
- Mueller calculus
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
George Gabriel Stokes defined the Stokes parameters in 1851.[1] The Stokes parameters are often combined into a vector known as the Stokes vector.[3] The Stokes vector includes components often labeled I, Q, U, and V.[3] For non-coherent beam radiation, the Stokes parameters are defined as averaged quantities.[4]
The Stokes parameters can be directly determined from observation using a linear polarizer and a quarter-wave plate.[5] Francis Perrin in 1942 and Subrahamanyan Chandrasekhar in 1947 each independently found Stokes's original paper, and Chandrasekhar gave the name "Stokes parameters" to the quantities.[2] Mueller calculus, when applied to the Stokes vector representing incoming light, allows one to compute the Stokes vector for light exiting an optical system, thereby determining that system's effect on polarization.[2]
References
- Wikipedia, "Stokes parameters" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Stokes, G. G. (1851). On the composition and resolution of streams of polarized light from different sources. Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Societ; S. Chandrasekhar Radiative Transfer, Dover Publications, New York, 1960, , page 25 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Stokes parameters" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Perrin, F. (1942). Polarization of light scattered by isotropic opalescent media. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 10(7), 415-427.; "S. Chandrasekhar - Session II", Oral History Interviews, 18 May 1977; Chandrasekhar, S. (1947). The transfer of radiation in stellar atmospheres. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 53(7), 641-711. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Stokes parameters" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Kliger, "Polarized Light in Optics and Spectroscopy", Academic, 1990, p. 59-101 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Stokes parameters" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: H. C. van de Hulst Light scattering by small particles, Dover Publications, New York, 1981, , page 42 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Stokes parameters" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Jackson, p. 300; Stone, pp. 313-317 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Stokes parameters (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Stokes parameters (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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