Abstract

We present an algorithm that decomposes a Mueller matrix into a sequence of three matrix factors: a diattenuator, followed by a retarder, then followed by a depolarizer. Those factors are unique except for singular Mueller matrices. Based on this decomposition, the diattenuation and the retardance of a Mueller matrix can be defined and computed. Thus this algorithm is useful for performing data reduction upon experimentally determined Mueller matrices.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

Interpretation of nondepolarizing Mueller matrices based on singular-value decomposition

Razvigor Ossikovski
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 25(2) 473-482 (2008)

Analysis of depolarizing Mueller matrices through a symmetric decomposition

Razvigor Ossikovski
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 26(5) 1109-1118 (2009)

Pseudopolar decomposition of the Jones and Mueller-Jones exponential polarization matrices

Oriol Arteaga and Adolf Canillas
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 26(4) 783-793 (2009)

Transmittance constraints in serial decompositions of depolarizing Mueller matrices: the arrow form of a Mueller matrix

José J. Gil
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 30(4) 701-707 (2013)

Serial–parallel decompositions of Mueller matrices

José J. Gil, Ignacio San José, and Razvigor Ossikovski
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 30(1) 32-50 (2013)