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Jones Matrix Lecture

1) The document discusses the Jones vector representation of polarized light, where the complex amplitude of the electric field is written as a two-element vector. 2) Specific Jones vectors are given for linearly, circularly, and elliptically polarized light. 3) Jones matrices are introduced to represent the effect of optical elements like polarizers, phase retarders, and rotators on polarized light. Examples of Jones matrices are given for elements like linear polarizers, quarter wave plates, and half wave plates.

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556 views21 pages

Jones Matrix Lecture

1) The document discusses the Jones vector representation of polarized light, where the complex amplitude of the electric field is written as a two-element vector. 2) Specific Jones vectors are given for linearly, circularly, and elliptically polarized light. 3) Jones matrices are introduced to represent the effect of optical elements like polarizers, phase retarders, and rotators on polarized light. Examples of Jones matrices are given for elements like linear polarizers, quarter wave plates, and half wave plates.

Uploaded by

Der Untiringe Käfer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Polarization

Jones vector & matrices

Phys 375

Matrix treatment of polarization

Consider a light ray with an instantaneous Evector as shown

E z, t iE x z , t jE y z , t

y
Ey
Ex

E x Eox e

i kz t x

E y Eoy e

i kz t y

Matrix treatment of polarization

Combining the components

i kz t y
i kz t x

E i Eox e
jEoy e

i y
i x
i kz t

E i Eox e jEoy e e
~ i kz t
E Eo e

The terms in brackets represents the complex


amplitude of the plane wave
3

Jones Vectors

The state of polarization of light is determined by

the relative amplitudes (Eox, Eoy) and,

the relative phases ( = y - x )

of these components

The complex amplitude is written as a twoelement matrix, the Jones vector

~
Eo

~
i x

Eox
Eox e
Eox
i x
e
~
i
i y
Eoy
Eoy e
Eoy e
4

Jones vector: Horizontally polarized light

The electric field oscillations are


only along the x-axis
The Jones vector is then written,

The arrows indicate


the sense of
movement as the
beam approaches you
y

Eox e i x
Eox
A
1
~
Eo ~

0
0
E
0
oy

where we have set the phase x =


0, for convenience

The normalized form


is

1
0

Jones vector: Vertically polarized light

The electric field oscillations


are only along the y-axis
The Jones vector is then
written,
~

Eox
0
0
~
Eo ~
A
i y

Eoy
A
1
Eoy e
Where we have set the
phase y = 0, for
convenience

The normalized form


is

0
1

Jones vector: Linearly polarized light at


an arbitrary angle

If the phases are such that = m for


m = 0, 1, 2, 3,
Then we must have,

Ex
m Eox
1
Ey
Eoy

and the Jones vector is simply a line


inclined at an angle = tan-1(Eoy/Eox)
since we can write

E
~
m cos
ox
Eo ~ A 1

sin

E
oy

Circular polarization
y

Suppose Eox = Eoy = A


and Ex leads Ey by
x
90o=/2
At the instant Ex reaches
its maximum
t=0, Ey = 0, Ex = +A
displacement (+A), Ey is
zero
t=T/8, Ey = +Asin 45o, Ex = Acos45o
A fourth of a period later,
Ex is zero and Ey=+A
t=T/4, E = +A, E = 0
y

Circular polarization

The Jones vector for this case where Ex leads Ey is


i
1
~ Eox e x A
Eo
i A
i y
2
Eoy e Ae
i

The normalized form is,

This vector represents circularly polarized light, where


E rotates counterclockwise, viewed head-on
This mode is called left-circularly polarized light
What is the corresponding vector for right-circularly
polarized light?

1
2

1
i

Replace /2 with -/2 to get

1
2

1
i

Elliptically polarized light

If Eox Eoy , e.g. if Eox=A and Eoy = B

The Jones vector can be written


A
iB

counterclockwise

A
iB

clockwise

Here A>B

10

Jones vector and polarization

In general, the Jones vector for the arbitrary


case is an ellipse ( m; (m+1/2))
y
Eoy

Eox
A

~
Eo

i
B cos i sin
E
e
oy

b
a

tan 2

2 Eox Eoy cos


E ox2 E oy2

x
Eox

11

Optical elements: Linear polarizer

Selectively removes all or most of the Evibrations except in a given direction


TA

Linear polarizer
12

Jones matrix for a linear polarizer


Consider a linear polarizer with transmission axis along the
vertical (y). Let a 2X2 matrix represent the polarizer
operating on vertically polarized light.
The transmitted light must also be vertically polarized. Thus,

a b
c d

0 0
1 1

Operating on horizontally polarized light,

a b
c d

Thus,

0 0
M

0
1

1 0
0 0

Linear polarizer with TA
vertical.
13

Jones matrix for a linear polarizer

For a linear polarizer with a transmission


axis at

cos

sin cos

sin cos

sin

14

Optical elements: Phase retarder

Introduces a phase difference () between


orthogonal components
The fast axis(FA) and slow axis (SA) are shown
FA

x
SA
Retardation plate
15

Jones matrix of a phase retarder

We wish to find a matrix which will transform the elements


as follows:
E e i x int o E e i x x
ox

Eoy e

ox

i y

Eoy e

It is easy to show by inspection that,

e i x

int o

i y y

0
i y

0
e

Here x and y represent the advance in phase of the


components
16

Jones matrix of a Quarter Wave Plate

Consider a quarter wave plate for which || =


/2
For y - x = /2 (Slow axis vertical)

Let x = -/4 and y = /4

The matrix representing a Quarter wave plate,


with its slow axis vertical is,

e i 4
M
0

1
0

0
i
17

Jones matrices: Half-wave Plate

For || =
e i 2

e i 2

1
0

1
0

0
1
0
1

HWP, SA vertical

HWP, SA horizontal

18

Optical elements:
Quarter/Half wave plate

When the net phase difference


= /2 : Quarter-wave plate
= : Half-wave plate

/2

19

Optical elements: Rotator

Rotates the direction of linearly polarized


light by a particular angle
y

x
SA
Rotator
20

Jones matrix for a rotator

An E-vector oscillating linearly at is rotated by


an angle
Thus, the light must be converted to one that
oscillates linearly at ( + )
a
c

b cos
cos

d sin
sin

cos
One then finds M
sin

sin
cos
21

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