L23

Question 1

Poincare Sphere

Answer 1

Any polarization state can be represented as a point on the surface of the Poincare Sphere.

Question 2

Jones Matrices

Answer 2

• Used to represent the polarization state of light mathematically.
• represent polarisation optics (acting on vectors that represent light polarisation)

does the first bullet point refer to Jones vectors?

Question 3

Wave Retarders

Answer 3

Wave retarders (waveplates) alter the phase between orthogonal polarization components.

tbd

Question 4

Half-Wave Retarder

Answer 4

• Flips the polarization direction.
• Example matrix: [1 0; 0 -1].

Question 5

Quarter-Wave Retarder

Answer 5

• Introduces a 90° phase shift
• Example matrix: [1 0; 0 -i].

Question 6

Stokes Parameters

Answer 6

Provide an alternative way to describe polarization, including field amplitude.

Question 7

Isotropic Materials

Answer 7

In isotropic materials, the refractive indices n₁, n₂, and n₃ are equal.

Question 8

Uniaxial Materials

Answer 8

In uniaxial materials, two refractive indices are equal (ordinary index n_o) and different from the third (extraordinary index n_e).

Question 9

Biaxial Materials

Answer 9

All three refractive indices n₁, n₂, and n₃ are different.

Question 10

Optical Activity

Answer 10

• Optically active materials perform polarization rotation.
• The rotation reverses in backward propagation.

Question 11

Faraday Effect

Answer 11

• Causes polarization rotation in the presence of a magnetic field.
• Strength described by the Verdet constant.

Question 12

Electro-Optics

Answer 12

In electro-optics, applying a static electric field modifies the refractive index ellipsoid of an anisotropic material.

Question 13

Pockels Effect

Answer 13

• Is used for voltage-controlled waveplates
• e.g., in Pockels cells, to control light interference.

Question 14

Dispersion relation for light in uniaxial material

Answer 14

Poynting vector (S) is NOT orthogonal to direction of propagation (k)