14.

14. Matrix
Matrix treatment
treatment of
of polarization
polarization

This lecture

• Polarized Light : linear, circular, elliptical

• Jones Vectors for Polarized Light
• Jones Matrices for Polarizers, Phase Retarders, Rotators
 x

(Linear) Polarization z

Ex  E0 sin(kzt) Ey  0 Ez  0
Bx  0 E Bz  0
By  0 sin(kz   t )
c
• This wave is an example of a linearly polarized wave.
– We always define the direction of polarization as the direction of the
oscillation of the Electric field vector (x-direction in this case)
– In general, a linearly polarized wave traveling in the +z direction can be
written as:   is constant
E  eˆE 0 sin( kz   t   ) phase
in terms of components:
E x  E0 cos  sin( kz   t   ) y
eˆ
E y  E 0 sin sin( kz   t   )

Ez  0
x
 질 문

6) Which equation correctly describes this electromagnetic wave?

a) Ex = Eo sin (kz + t)

b) Ey = Eo sin (kz - t)
c) By = Bo sin (kz - t)

7) In which direction is this wave polarized?

a) x
b) y
c) z
 질 문
• At t = 0, z = 0, the electric field of an electro- y
magnetic wave is oriented at an angle  with eˆ
respect to the x-axis, as shown. A
– Which arrow indicates the direction of the 
magnetic field at the same location and instant x
of time?
B

(a) A (b) B

• This question cannot be answered unless the

direction of propagation is specified:
• If the wave propagates in the +z direction,
then B-field is along A
• If the wave propagates in the –z direction,
then B-field is along B
Consider a EM wave propagating along the z-direction.

The complex amplitude is

Two-element matrix

% a 
Eo    , a  b 1
2 2
Jones vector
b 
Linearly polarized lights

~ a 
Eo    If a  b  1, it is normalized form.
2 2

b 
y y

0  1
Eo    Eo   
1
x 1 x

y
y
1 1
Eo    Eo   
0  x
 1 x

E0 x   A cos   cos   1 

Eoy  1  b 
 E0   
       
 A  sin   , tan tan a
x Eoy   A sin      E0 x   
 Other Polarization States?
• Are there polarizations other than linear?
– Sure!!
– The general harmonic solution for a plane wave traveling in the +z-direction is:

E x  E 0 x s in ( k z   t   x )
E y  E 0 y sin( kz   t   y )
y
Linear y  Circular 
Polarization E
Polarization E
 x
x

    y   x  0,      y  x  
2
E oy E oy  E ox
 tan 
E ox (E0x and E0y are ±90° out of phase.)
(LCP)

(RCP)
 = 0, or, 

(RCP)

(LCP)
 Visualization

Circular polarization stems from the intrinsic

angular momentum (“spin”) of the photons that
make up the beam.
Note: If you shine circularly polarized light onto
an absorber, it will in principle start to rotate
→ conservation of angular momentum!
 Application: Light-Driven Micro Machines

Fact 1: Small particles are

attracted to regions of high E
field gradient (induced dipole
force) → laser “tweezers”

Fact 2: Because birefringent

crystals convert
linear ↔ circular polarization,
they acquire angular momentum
→ rotation
Parts are only 10m across!

Uses: Biophysics: Manipulating DNA, proteins, etc.

Microscopic fluid pumps
Example
Example
Usefulness of Jones vectors : two examples
 a b 
M   Jones matrix
 c d 
 Birefringence (복굴절)
현상 이용

Quarter-wave plate (QWP)

Half-wave plate (HWP)

Quarter-wave plate (QWP)

Half-wave plate (HWP)

 Wave Plates
• Birefringent crystals with precise thicknesses
Crystal which produces a phase change of /2 → “quarter wave plate”
(a “full wave plate” produces a relative shift of 4  2  2 → no effect).

Light polarized along the fast or slow axis merely travels through at the
appropriate speed → polarization is unchanged.

Light linearly polarized at 45° to the fast or slow axis will acquire a relative phase shift
between these two components → alter the state of polarization.

The phase of the component along the fast axis is /2 out of phase with the
component along the slow axis. E.g.,

Before Ex  E0 sin(kz  t )
QWP Ey  E0 sin(kz t ) Quarter Wave Plate summary:

After Ex  E0 sin(kz  t )  •linear along fast axis  linear

QWP E y  E0 sin(kz  t  ) •linear at 45° to fast axis  circular
2 •circular  linear at 45° to fast axis
RCP
Usefulness of Jones matrix
The operation of the polarizer or retarder on the electric field is described by M E%0  E%0

For example, a QWP converts linearly polarized light , when the light is at an angle
of 45 to the SA of the QWP, to circularly polarized light

1 0 1 1 exp  i / 4  1

M  exp  i / 4    E%0     M E%0  i 
0 i  2 1 2  

A QWP will convert CP light back to LP light , but now rotated by 90

 1 0  1 1 exp  i / 4   1 

exp  i / 4    i    1
 0 i  2   2  