Approach for fast numerical propagation of uniformly polarized random electromagnetic fields in dispersive linearly birefringent systems

• Published in: Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision Vol. 30; no. 9; p. 1825
• Main Authors: Makowski, Piotr L, Domanski, Andrzej W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2013
• ISSN: 1520-8532
• DOI: 10.1364/JOSAA.30.001825

An efficient simulation technique is proposed for computing propagation of uniformly polarized statistically stationary fields in linear nonimage-forming systems that includes dispersion of linear birefringence to all orders. The method is based on the discrete-time Fourier transformation of modified frequency profiles of the spectral Stokes parameters. It works under the condition that all (linearly) birefringent sections present in the system are described by the same phase birefringence dispersion curve, being a monotonic function of the optical frequency within the bandwidth of the light. We demonstrate the technique as a supplement for the Mueller-Stokes matrix formalism extended to any uniformly polarized polychromatic illumination. Accuracy of its numerical implementation has been verified by using parameters of a Lyot depolarizer made of a highly birefringent and dispersive monomode photonic crystal fiber.