Black polarization sandwiches are square roots of zero
Black polarization sandwiches are square roots of zero
In the 2 x 2 matrices representing retarders and ideal polarizers, the eigenvectors are orthogonal. An example of the opposite case, where eigenvectors collapse onto one, is matrices M representing crystal plates sandwiched between a crossed polarizer and analyser. For these familiar combinations, M^2 = 0, so black sandwiches can be regarded as square roots of zero. Black sandwiches illustrate physics associated with degeneracies of non-Hermitian matrices.
S24-S25
Berry, M.V.
ab44fe7c-0c8c-4c7a-981f-50fe4a5bc6ad
Dennis, M.R.
ff55cf66-eb8b-4eb9-83eb-230c2f223d61
2004
Berry, M.V.
ab44fe7c-0c8c-4c7a-981f-50fe4a5bc6ad
Dennis, M.R.
ff55cf66-eb8b-4eb9-83eb-230c2f223d61
Berry, M.V. and Dennis, M.R.
(2004)
Black polarization sandwiches are square roots of zero.
Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics, 6 (55), .
(doi:10.1088/1464-4258/6/3/004).
Abstract
In the 2 x 2 matrices representing retarders and ideal polarizers, the eigenvectors are orthogonal. An example of the opposite case, where eigenvectors collapse onto one, is matrices M representing crystal plates sandwiched between a crossed polarizer and analyser. For these familiar combinations, M^2 = 0, so black sandwiches can be regarded as square roots of zero. Black sandwiches illustrate physics associated with degeneracies of non-Hermitian matrices.
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Published date: 2004
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Local EPrints ID: 29385
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/29385
ISSN: 1741-3567
PURE UUID: 2a05a08e-1258-4979-a180-ec68ea2ed512
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Date deposited: 11 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:31
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Author:
M.V. Berry
Author:
M.R. Dennis
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