Abstract

The Planar Poincaré Chart which represents the complete planar equivalence of the Poincaré sphere is proposed. The four sets of basic lines are drawn on two separate charts for the generalization and convenience of reading the scale. The chart indicates the rotation of the principal axes of linear birefringent material. The relationships between parameters of the two charts are given as 2ξ–2ψ (orientation angle of the major axis–ellipticity angle) pair and 2α–δ (angle of amplitude ratio–phase difference angle) pair. The results are useful for designing and analyzing polarization properties of optical components with birefringent properties.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

Planar Poincaré Chart: a planar graphic representation of the state of light polarization; errata

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