Polarized Light

An in-depth exploration of polarized light, this book covers production and uses, facilitating self-study without prior knowledge of Maxwell''s equations. This third edition includes more than 2,500 figures and equations along with chapters on polarization elements, anisotropic materials, Stokes polarimetry, Mueller matrix polarimetry, and the mathematics of the Mueller matrix. It features two new chapters, one on polarized light in nature and one on birefringence. It also presents a completely revised review of the history of polarized light and contains a new appendix on conventions used in polarized light.

Polarized light is a pervasive influence in our world—and scientists and engineers in a variety of fields require the tools to understand, measure, and apply it to their advantage. Offering an in-depth examination of the subject and a description of its applications, Polarized Light, Third Edition serves as a comprehensive self-study tool complete with an extensive mathematical analysis of the Mueller matrix and coverage of Maxwell’s equations.

This book starts with a general description of light and continues with a complete exploration of polarized light, including how it is produced and its practical applications. The author incorporates basic topics, such as polarization by refraction and reflection, polarization elements, anisotropic materials, polarization formalisms (Mueller–Stokes and Jones) and associated mathematics, and polarimetry, or the science of polarization measurement.

• A new introductory chapter
• Chapters on: polarized light in nature, and form birefringence
• A review of the history of polarized light, and a chapter on the interference laws of Fresnel and Arago—both completely re-written
• A new appendix on conventions used in polarized light
• New graphics, and black-and-white photos and color plates

Divided into four parts, this book covers the fundamental concepts and theoretical framework of polarized light. Next, it thoroughly explores the science of polarimetry, followed by discussion of polarized light applications. The author concludes by discussing how our polarized light framework is applied to physics concepts, such as accelerating charges and quantum systems.

Building on the solid foundation of the first two editions, this book reorganizes and updates existing material on fundamentals, theory, polarimetry, and applications. It adds new chapters, graphics, and color photos, as well as a new appendix on conventions used in polarized light. As a result, the author has re-established this book’s lofty status in the pantheon of literature on this important field.