Abstract

A simple, straightforward method is described for determining experimentally the matrix of any, crystalline plate. The method involves three measurements of the state of polarization of light transmitted by the plate, and also a measurement of its transmission factor for natural light. These measurements determine the matrix uniquely, except for a phase factor whose practical significance is small. The conditions are stated for the application of the method to the more general type of optical system described in V. A statement of the content of future papers in this series is included.

© 1947 Optical Society of America

A New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical SystemsV. A More General Formulation, and Description of Another Calculus

R. Clark Jones
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 37(2) 107-110 (1947)

A New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical SystemsI. Description and Discussion of the Calculus

R. Clark Jones
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 31(7) 488-493 (1941)

A New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical Systems. IV.

R. Clark Jones
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 32(8) 486-493 (1942)

A New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical Systems. VII. Properties of the N-Matrices

R. Clark Jones
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 38(8) 671-685 (1948)

New Calculus for the Treatment of Optical Systems. VIII. Electromagnetic Theory

R. Clark Jones
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 46(2) 126-131 (1956)