Generation and Analysis of Hidden Optical-Polarization States

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel type of optical-polarization state called Hidden Optical-Polarization States (HOPS), generated using a specialized interferometer, which are characterized by parameters beyond traditional Stokes parameters and can be experimentally measured.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new class of optical-polarization states (HOPS), along with a design for their generation and a method for their experimental characterization.

Findings

HOPS are non-random in amplitude ratio and phase sum, unlike typical polarization states.

HOPS are not characterized by Stokes parameters, requiring new parameters for their description.

Experimental schemes for measuring HOPS parameters are presented.

Abstract

A hybrid Optical-Device (Phase-Conjugating Mirror Michelson Interferometer), made up of Phase-conjugate mirror along with ordinary mirror and Polarization Beam-splitter, is formally designed and investigated for the generation of an unusual Optical-Polarization States. This weird yet 'essentially single-mode' optical-polarization state has non-random 'ratio of amplitudes' and non-random 'sum of phases' in orthogonal bases-modes contrary to usual 'truly single-mode' optical-polarization states of which non-random 'ratio of amplitudes' and non-random 'difference of phases' serves as optical-polarization characteristic parameters. Since it is seen not to be characterized by Stokes parameters, one may, therefore, assign the name 'Hidden Optical-Polarization States (HOPS)'. HOPS are characterized by a set of parameters, namely, Hidden Optical-Polarization parameters. Formal experimental schemes are presented to experimentally measure these parameters and, thus, offering characterization of HOPS.