Arbitrary decomposition of a Mueller matrix

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive mathematical framework for the parallel decomposition of Mueller matrices, enhancing the analysis tools in Mueller polarimetry and enabling more flexible and general interpretations of polarization data.

Contribution

It presents the most general formulation for parallel decomposition of Mueller matrices, overcoming previous limitations and integrating passivity criteria into the analysis.

Findings

Generalized parallel decomposition framework for Mueller matrices

Overcomes limitations of previous decomposition methods

Enables more flexible interpretation of polarimetric data

Abstract

Mueller polarimetry involves a variety of instruments and technologies whose importance and scope of applications are rapidly increasing. The exploitation of these powerful resources depends strongly on the mathematical models that underlie the analysis and interpretation of the measured Mueller matrices and, very particularly, on the theorems for their serial and parallel decompositions. In this letter, the most general formulation for the parallel decomposition of a Mueller matrix is presented, which overcomes certain critical limitations of the previous approaches. In addition, the results obtained lead to a generalization of the polarimetric subtraction procedure and allow for a formulation of the arbitrary decomposition that integrates, in a natural way, the passivity criterion.