Quantum polarization for three-dimensional fields via Stokes operators

Abstract

We study the polarization properties of three-dimensional quantum light fields by using the Stokes operators. We modify the standard definition of degree of polarization in order to encompass polarization properties in the quantum domain. We show that the states with the largest degree of polarization and least polarization fluctuations are the SU(3) coherent states. We show that the standard quadrature coherent states are Poissonian superpositions of SU(3) coherent states. We examine the polarization properties of some other relevant field states.