Stokes vector

The Stokes vector is a mathematical way to describe the polarization state of light. It uses four numbers to represent how the light’s electric field oscillates, including its overall brightness, the difference between horizontal and vertical components, and the amount of circular polarization. This comprehensive representation helps scientists understand and analyze how light behaves when passing through or reflecting off objects, which is important in areas like imaging, remote sensing, and optical communication. Essentially, it summarizes the complex polarization features of light into a standardized format for easier study and application.