Robust polarimetry via convex optimization

TL;DR

This paper introduces convex optimization techniques to correct non-physical measurements in polarimetry, enabling more accurate determination of polarization states from experimental data.

Contribution

It develops convex optimization-based methods for correcting and recovering physically valid coherency matrices in polarimetry, enhancing robustness of measurements.

Findings

Successfully corrected non-physical coherency matrices using proposed methods.

Demonstrated recovery of extremal polarization states from experimental data.

Applied techniques to real polarimetry measurements with commercial instruments.

Abstract

We present mathematical methods, based on convex optimization, for correcting non-physical coherency matrices measured in polarimetry. We also develop the method for recovering the coherency matrices corresponding to the smallest and largest values of the degree of polarization given the experimental data and a specified tolerance. We use experimental non-physical results obtained with the standard polarimetry scheme and a commercial polarimeter to illustrate these methods. Our techniques are applied in post-processing, which complements other experimental methods for robust polarimetry.