6. Conclusion

This article is divided into two main parts, one theoretical, presenting the Jones formalism based on the complex representation of the electric field, and the other more practical, based on a few examples of polarizing devices.

The theoretical part defines the Jones vector for the most general case given by elliptical polarization, but also for some special cases. Jones matrices are then defined for well-known polarizing devices such as linear polarizers, rotators and wave blades. This section concludes with a look at polarization by light reflection and transmission.

The practical section presents polarizing devices in order of increasing complexity, starting with the optical isolator, followed by the Laurent polarimeter. The section concludes with a presentation of the polychromatic polarizing microscope for studying the effects of polarization...