Dimensionality of random light fields

Abstract

Abstract Background The spectral polarization state and dimensionality of random light are important concepts in modern optical physics and photonics. Methods By use of space-frequency domain coherence theory, we establish a rigorous classification for the electricfield vector to oscillate in one, two, or three spatial dimensions. Results We also introduce a new measure, the polarimetric dimension, to quantify the dimensional character of light. The formalism is utilized to show that polarized three-dimensional light does not exist, while an evanescent wave generated in total internal reflection generally is a genuine three-dimensional light field. Conclusions The framework we construct advances the polarization theory of random light and it could be beneficial for near-field optics and polarization-sensitive applications involving complex-structured light fields.

Keywords

• Dimensionality
• Polarization
• Random light