Stokes Parameters for the Superposition of Two Slightly Noncollinear Light Beams with Orthogonal Polarizations

α

π

24

β

π

4

δ

0

This Demonstration shows the effect of the parameters

α

,

β

,

δ

on two superposed slightly noncollinear electromagnetic field beams with orthogonal polarizations. The polarization vectors of the beams are given by



ϵ

1

(α,δ)

and



ϵ

2

(α-π/2,δ)

, while their amplitude ratio is parametrized by

β=

-1

tan

(

E

1

/

E

2

)

. The spatially variable polarization state is given by the equation

s

=

R

s

1

(π-δ)

R

s

2

(2α)cos(2β)



s

1

+sin(2β]

g



,

in terms of the great circle

g

=



s

2

cosΔΦ+



s

3

sinΔΦ

.