Jones Matrix Chain
Chain Jones matrices to transform input polarization states and visualize the output ellipse.
E_out = M_n ⋯ M₂ · M₁ · E_in (element 1 acts first)
Jones Elements
1.
Output E-field
Ex = 1.000
Ey = 0.000
Intensity
1.0000
Orientation ψ
0.0°
Ellipticity angle χ
0.0°
axis ratio b/a = 0.000
Polarization Ellipse
Polarization Description
State: Linear
Transmission: 100.0%
Convention (Goldstein): RCP = [1, i]/√2 turns clockwise as seen by the receiver; S₃ > 0 is right-handed.
Model and references
Exact. The equations are exact within the stated assumptions, or are a standard's tabulated values. The results are as good as the inputs. About the tiers
Ideal polarizers and waveplates as Jones matrices, element 1 first, on unit-intensity inputs. Goldstein convention: RCP = [1, i]/√2 and S₃ > 0 is right-handed. Not modelled: losses, partial polarization.
- Jones R. C. (1941). A new calculus for the treatment of optical systems, I. Description and discussion of the calculus. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 31(7), 488–493. doi:10.1364/JOSA.31.000488
- Goldstein D. H. (2011). Polarized Light, 3rd ed., ch. The Jones Matrix Formalism, pp. 201–231. CRC Press. doi:10.1201/b10436