Electromagnetic waves and Stokes parameters in the wake of a gravitational wave

TL;DR

This paper provides a theoretical analysis of how electromagnetic waves' polarization states, described by Stokes parameters, are affected by passing gravitational waves, revealing oscillations in polarization orientation.

Contribution

It offers explicit formulas for Stokes parameters in the presence of a gravitational wave, highlighting polarization oscillations with constant ellipticity.

Findings

Polarization ellipse axis oscillates during gravitational wave passage

Ellipticity of polarization remains constant

Explicit expressions for Stokes parameters derived

Abstract

A theoretical description of electromagnetic waves in the background of a (weak) gravitational wave is presented. Explicit expressions are obtained for the Stokes parameters during the passage of a plane-fronted gravitational wave described by the Ehlers-Kundt metric. In particular, it is shown that the axis of the polarization ellipse oscillates, its ellipticity remaining constant.