Abstract

ESPINOSA-LUNA, R.; ATONDO-RUBIO, G.  and  VELARDE-ESCOBAR, O.J.. Métrica de despolarización escalar Q(M) como criterio para identificar sistemas retardadores o desfasadores puros. Rev. mex. fis. [online]. 2010, vol.56, n.5, pp.406-410. ISSN 0035-001X.

The trace criterion or theorem of Gil-Bernabeu is a neccesary and sufficient condition for a Jones matrix to be derivable from a Mueller matrix associated to passive optical systems. The matrix obtained in this way is named Mueller-Jones or pure Mueller matrix. In this work, several examples are shown of physical systems, diattenuating and non-diattenuating, which fulfill the theorem of Gil-Bernabeu or equivalently take on the upper limit for the depolarization index. This means that this criterion can provide only information about the non-depolarizing character of light by systems, but it is unable to distinguish the diattenuating character associated to the systems and consequently it cannot distinguish a polarizer from a retarder. It is shown the upper limit of Q(M) can be employed as a criterion to identity uniquely non-diattenuating Jones matrices; that is, systems associated to pure retarders or dephasers.

Keywords : Optical physics; polarization; depolarization; Mueller matrices; depolarization scalar metrics.

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