Abstract. The three-dimensional coherence matrix is interpreted by emphasizing its invariance with respect to spatial rotations. Under these transformations, it naturally decomposes into a real symmetric positive definite matrix, interpreted as the moment of inertia of the ensemble (and the corresponding ellipsoid), and a real axial vector, corresponding to the mean angular momentum of the ensemble. This vector and tensor are related by several inequalities, and the interpretation is compared to those in which unitary invariants of the coherence matrix are studied.

Keywords: polarization, nonparaxial, density matrix, rotational invariance, irreducible tensor operator

Print publication: Issue 3 (March 2004)
Received 2 September 2003, accepted for publication 30 September 2003
Published 24 February 2004