Orthogonality-breaking sensing model based on the instantaneous Stokes vector and the Mueller calculus
Résumé
Polarimetric sensing by orthogonality breaking has been recently proposed as an alternative technique for per-
forming direct and fast polarimetric measurements using a specific dual-frequency dual-polarization (DFDP)
source. Based on the instantaneous Stokes-Mueller formalism to describe the high-frequency evolution of the
DFDP beam intensity, we thoroughly analyze the interaction of such a beam with birefringent, dichroic and
depolarizing samples. This allows us to confirm that orthogonality breaking is produced by the sample diatten-
uation, whereas this technique is immune to both birefringence and diagonal depolarization. We further analyze
the robustness of this technique when polarimetric sensing is performed through a birefringent waveguide, and
the optimal DFDP source configuration for fiber-based endoscopic measurements is subsequently identified.
Finally, we consider a stochastic depolarization model based on an ensemble of random linear diattenuators,
which makes it possible to understand the progressive vanishing of the detected orthogonality breaking signal
as the spatial heterogeneity of the sample increases, thus confirming the insensitivity of this method to diagonal
depolarization. The fact that the orthogonality breaking signal is exclusively due to the sample dichroism is
an advantageous feature for the precise decoupled characterization of such an anisotropic parameter in samples
showing several simultaneous effects.
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