Probing light polarization with the quantum Chernoff bound

We recall the framework of a consistent quantum description of polarization of light. Accordingly, the degree of polarization of a two-mode state. (rho) over cap of the quantum radiation field can be defined as a distance of a related state (rho) over cap (b) to the convex set of all SU(2)-invariant two-mode states. We explore a distance-type polarization measure in terms of the quantum Chernoff bound and derive its explicit expression. A comparison between the Chernoff and Bures degrees of polarization leads to interesting conclusions for some particular states chosen as illustrative examples.