Remarks on the Classical and Quantum-Mechanical Treatment of Partial Polarization*

Robust Classical and Quantum Polarimetry with a Single Nanostructured Metagrating

We formulate a new conceptual approach for one-shot complete polarization state measurement with nanostructured metasurfaces applicable to classical light and multiphoton quantum states by drawing on the principles of generalized quantum measurements based on positive operator-valued measures. Accurate polarization reconstruction from a combination of photon counts or correlations from several diffraction orders is robust with respect to even strong fabrication inaccuracies, requiring only a single classical calibration of the metasurface transmission. Furthermore, this approach operates with a single metagrating without interleaving, allowing for a reduction in metasurface size while preserving high transmission efficiency and output beam quality. We theoretically obtained original metasurface designs, fabricated the metasurface from amorphous silicon nanostructures deposited on glass, and experimentally confirmed accurate polarization reconstruction of laser beams. We also anticipate robust operation under changes in environmental conditions, opening new possibilities for space-based imaging and satellite optics.

Meron Spin Textures in Momentum Space

We show that a momentum-space meron spin texture for electromagnetic fields in free space can be generated by controlling the interaction of light with a photonic crystal slab having a nonzero Berry curvature. These spin textures in momentum space have not been previously noted either in electronic or photonic systems. Breaking the inversion symmetry of a honeycomb photonic crystal gaps out the Dirac cones at the corners of Brillouin zone. The pseudospin textures of photonic bands near the gaps exhibit a meron or antimeron. Unlike the electronic systems, the pseudospin texture of the photonic modes manifests directly in the spin (polarization) texture of the leakage radiation, as the Dirac points can be above the light line. Such a spin texture provides a direct approach to visualize the local Berry curvature. Our work highlights the significant opportunities of using photonic structures for the exploration of topological spin textures, with potential applications towards topologically robust ways to manipulate polarizations and other modal characteristics of light.

Witnessing Entanglement In Compton Scattering Processes Via Mutually Unbiased Bases

We present a quantum information theoretic version of the Klein-Nishina formula. This formulation singles out the quantity, the a priori visibility, that quantifies the ability to deduce the polarisation property of single photons. The Kraus-type structure allows a straightforward generalisation to the multiphoton cases, relevant in the decay of positronium which is utilized e.g. for metabolic PET-imaging (Positron- Emission- Tomograph). Predicted by theory but never experimentally proven, the two- or three-photon states should be entangled. We provide an experimentally feasible method to witness entanglement for these processes via MUBs (Mutually Unbiased Bases), exploiting Bohr's complementarity. Last but not least we present explicit cases exemplifying the interrelation of geometry and entanglement including relations to its potentiality for teleportation schemes or Bell inequality violations or in future for detecting cancer in human beings.

High flux circularly polarized gamma beam factory: coupling a Fabry-Perot optical cavity with an electron storage ring

We report and discuss high-flux generation of circularly polarized γ-rays by means of Compton scattering. The γ-ray beam results from the collision of an external-cavity-enhanced infrared laser beam and a low emittance relativistic electron beam. By operating a non-planar bow-tie high-finesse optical Fabry-Perot cavity coupled to a storage ring, we have recorded a flux of up to (3.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁸ photons per second with a mean measured energy of 24 MeV. The γ-ray flux has been sustained for several hours. In particular, we were able to measure a record value of up to 400 γ-rays per collision in a full bandwidth. Moreover, the impact of Compton scattering on the electron beam dynamics could be observed resulting in a reduction of the electron beam lifetime correlated to the laser power stored in the Fabry-Perot cavity. We demonstrate that the electron beam lifetime provides an independent and consistent determination of the γ-ray flux. Furthermore, a reduction of the γ-ray flux due to intrabeam scattering has clearly been identified. These results, obtained on an accelerator test facility, warrant potential scaling and revealed both expected and yet unobserved effects. They set the baseline for further scaling of the future Compton sources under development around the world.

Vectorial pure operatorial Pauli algebraic approach in polarization optics: a theoretical survey and some applications

In the last decade we have elaborated a mathematical tool for the description of the interaction of polarized light with polarization devices, alternative to the standard matrix (Jones and Mueller) formalisms, namely a vectorial pure operatorial Pauli algebraic one. After a brief, coherent survey of this formalism, we present some applicative results obtained in this frame, referring to the gain and the modification of the state of polarization at the interaction of the polarized light with deterministic devices. Due to an adequate parameterization of the problem, specific to this method, symmetric expressions of the gain and of the generalized Malus' law are obtained. On the other hand, the equation of the ellipsoid in which a Poincaré sphere of a given degree of polarization is mapped by such a device can be established.

Minkowskian description of polarized light and polarizers

A conventional Stokes description of polarized light is considered in a four-dimensional Lorentzian space, developing a seminal idea of Paul Soleillet [Ann. Phys. (Paris) 12, 23 (1929)]. This provides a striking interpretation for the degree of polarization and the Stokes decomposition of light beams. Malus law and reciprocity theorems for polarizers are studied using this Lorentzian formalism.

Measurement of the Stokes parameters of light

We describe a measuring system for determining the state of polarization of a beam of light in terms of its Stokes parameters. The technique which can be fully automated incorporates a monochromator and single photon counting detection and can thus be applied over a large wavelength range for very weak optical signals. Fourier transformation of the data by an on-line minicomputer allows immediate calculation of the Stokes parameters. We discuss special applications to light emitted from excited atomic systems with and without cylindrical symmetry.

Coherence, observability, and the photometric aspect of beam optics

This paper endeavors to generalize the empirical relationships of photometry to a light field of complex structure and to describe this light field in terms of the electromagnetic theory of light.