Abstract

The concept of the polarization wave is introduced by bringing together under this name a series of generally space–time-varying polarization phenomena. Unlike the light wave, the polarization wave belongs to the class of observable phenomena. The mathematical entities describing the polarization waves are introduced in an inductive way starting from some fundamental examples. The issues are conceived as a further step in building the optics of observables.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

Unitarity-conserving construction of the Jones matrix and its application to polarization-mode dispersion analysis

Osamu Aso, Isamu Ohshima, and Haruki Ogoshi
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(8) 1998-2005 (1997)

Light diffusion and diffusing-wave spectroscopy in nematic liquid crystals

H. Stark, M. H. Kao, K. A. Jester, T. C. Lubensky, A. G. Yodh, and P. J. Collings
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(1) 156-178 (1997)

Spatial Fourier transform approach to the study of polarization changing and beam profile deformation of light during Bragg acousto-optic interaction with longitudinal and shear ultrasonic waves in isotropic media

Chen-Wen Tarn
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(9) 2231-2242 (1997)

Debye-series analysis of the first-order rainbow produced in scattering of a diagonally incident plane wave by a circular cylinder

James A. Lock and C. L. Adler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(6) 1316-1328 (1997)

Scattering of TE-polarized waves by a finite grating: giant resonant enhancement of the electric field within the grooves

O. Mata-Mendez and J. Sumaya-Martinez
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(9) 2203-2211 (1997)