Singular polarization eigenstates in anisotropic stratified structures

Abstract

A new optical element that displays singular polarization eigenstates is proposed. It consists of a planar stratified structure composed of alternate gyrotropic and birefringent layers. The orthogonality of the polarization eigenstates is lost because of anisotropic reflections at the interfaces, which are enhanced by the special condition chosen for the multiple-beam interference. First we show that the anisotropic reflection at the interface between the layers with linear and circular symmetries does produce strong enough dichroism to break the orthogonality of polarization eigenstates. Second, we investigate the behavior of these eigenstates with respect to their linearity and orthogonality as a function of the width of the layers. Our results concretely demonstrate that it is possible to control the effective optical parameters of such stratified structures by adjusting the thickness of each anisotropic layer. Finally, we obtain the necessary conditions for designing a double-layer system with singular eigenstates of linear polarization.

White polarization sandwiches: optical elements with non-orthogonal eigenpolarizations

“…This theorem states that any non-depolarizing element can be presented by a sandwich of four basic elements: a partial linear polarizer, a partial circular polarizer, a retarder and a rotator (figure 2). The Jones matrix, T, of an arbitrary polarization element can then be written in the form [16] T = T Rot (ϕ) T Ret ( , α) T CirPol (R) T LinPol (P, γ ), (9) where • T LinPol (P, γ ) is the matrix of the linear polarizer…”

“…We wish to emphasize here that ( 14) defines an arbitrary white sandwich and does so in terms of measurable anisotropy parameters. Together with (9), this expression presents the generalized matrix model of white sandwiches. Solution of ( 14) allows one to determine which anisotropic mechanisms can constitute a white sandwich and also to synthesize an arbitrary white polarization sandwich by a combination of basic optical elements.…”

“…Degenerate elements were further studied in a number of recent publications (see e.g. [9][10][11]). Another class of inhomogeneous elements, non-orthogonal polarizers with one zero eigenvalue, was discussed by Tudor [10,12].…”