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Polarization distribution and degree of polarization for three-dimensional quantum light fields

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
 [1]
  1. Departamento de Optica, Facultad de Ciencias Fisicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid (Spain)
We introduce a probability distribution for polarization of three-dimensional quantum light fields as a marginal of the quadrature Q function for a three-mode field by removing the variables irrelevant for polarization (total intensity and global phase). The probability distribution turns out to be determined by projection on SU(3) coherent states. We introduce a degree of polarization as the distance between the polarization distribution and the uniform distribution associated with completely unpolarized light. We study the relation between two- and three-dimensional polarization by considering field states with a component in the vacuum state. We apply this formalism to some relevant field states.
OSTI ID:
20717976
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 71; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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