Dimensionality of random light fields

Norrman, A. ; Friberg, A.T. ; Gil, J.J. ; Setälä, T.

Resumen: Background: The spectral polarization state and dimensionality of random light are important concepts in modern optical physics and photonics. Methods: By use of space-frequency domain coherence theory, we establish a rigorous classification for the electricfield vector to oscillate in one, two, or three spatial dimensions. Results: We also introduce a new measure, the polarimetric dimension, to quantify the dimensional character of light. The formalism is utilized to show that polarized three-dimensional light does not exist, while an evanescent wave generated in total internal reflection generally is a genuine three-dimensional light field. Conclusions: The framework we construct advances the polarization theory of random light and it could be beneficial for near-field optics and polarization-sensitive applications involving complex-structured light fields.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1186/s41476-017-0061-9

Año: 2017

Publicado en: Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications 13, 1 (2017), 36 [5 pp]
ISSN: 1990-2573

Factor impacto JCR: 1.25 (2017)

Categ. JCR: OPTICS rank: 64 / 94 = 0.681 (2017) - Q3 - T3

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.42 - Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E99
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/FIS2014-58303-P

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)