Probability density functions of optical polarization states: theory and applications

We introduce the concept of probability density functions of polarization states for a more systematical approach of depolarization and the evolution of polarization in optical fiber. This concept is useful when polarization is a random function of wavelength, time and/or distance, like in depolarizers and in low-birefringent optical fiber. We give three examples of such probability density functions and present three applications.<
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