Generalized polarization matrix approach to near-field optical chirality

Forbes, Kayn A. and Andrews, David L. (2025) Generalized polarization matrix approach to near-field optical chirality. Physical Review A, 111. ISSN 1050-2947

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Abstract

For paraxial light beams and electromagnetic fields, the Stokes vector and polarization matrix provide equivalent scalar measures of optical chirality, widely used in linear optics. However, growing interest in nonparaxial fields, with fully three-dimensional polarization components, necessitates an extended framework. Here, we develop a general theory for characterizing optical chirality in arbitrary electromagnetic fields, formulated through extensions of the polarization matrix approach. This framework applies to both near- and far-field optical helicity and chirality. As examples, we demonstrate its relevance to near-zone fields from chiral dipole emission and the focal plane of tightly focused beams.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	DATA AVAILABILITY: No data were created or analyzed in this study.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Photonics and Quantum Science Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Chemistry of Light and Energy
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2025 16:30
Last Modified:	15 Jun 2025 06:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99483
DOI:	10.1103/PhysRevA.111.063510

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