Optical phase of inhomogeneous Jones matrices: retardance and ortho-transmission states

We determine the optical phase psi (dynamic and geometric) introduced by a system described by an inhomogeneous Jones matrix. We show that there are two possible scenarios: (a) psi has a finite range of psi is an element of [psi(min), psi(max)]. calculate both limits and their corresponding polarization states analytically. (b) psi spans the full range of psi is an element of(-pi, pi). This scenario leads to the existence of two input polarization states whose output states are orthogonal. We call these states ortho-transmission states (OTSs) and find them analytically. We study the inverse problem of designing an optical system with OTSs given by the user. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America