Stokes Parameters for Superposition of Two Slightly Noncollinear Polarized Beams

first field:

E

1

E

1

1

α

1

0

δ

1

0

second field:

E

2

E

2

1

α

2

π

2

δ

2

Pi

θ =

-4

10

, λ = 532 nm

x

0

This Demonstration explores Stokes parameters, polarization spheres, and polarization ellipses for the superposition of two slightly noncollinear polarized light beams. The polarization vectors of the two beams are given by



ϵ

1

(

α

1

,

δ

1

)

and



ϵ

2

(

α

2

,

δ

2

)

, while their amplitudes are

E

1

=



ϵ

1

(

α

1

,

δ

1

)

and

E

1

=

R

y



ϵ

2

(

α

2

,

δ

2

)

. The Stokes parameters are designated by the curves

S

0

(thick black),

S

1

(dashed blue),

S

2

(dotted green), and

S

3

(dot-dashed red). The polarization ellipse is calculated for a user-controlled point shown as a vertical line on the Stokes-parameter plot and as a black point on the polarization-sphere plot.