Proposal for distributed measurement of Müller matrix in optical fibers

We present a proposal for distributed measurement of Müller matrix with single-polarized probing light in the optical fiber. The physical principle and corresponding mathematical treatment on the propagation of Rayleigh backscattering light is investigated. Through numerical analysis, it can be demonstrated that the distribution of Müller matrix in the fiber can be acquired with the proposed method. This work may have significant potential in polarization-dependent distributed fiber-optic sensing.