%0 Journal Article
%A Luis Aina, Alfredo
%A Sánchez Soto, Luis Lorenzo
%T Phase-difference operator
%D 1993
%@ 1050-2947
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/59792
%X We introduce a unitary operator representing the exponential of the phase difference between two modes of the electromagnetic field. The eigenvalue spectrum has a discrete character that is fully analyzed. We relate this operator with a suitable polar decomposition of the Stokes parameters of the field, obtaining a natural classical limit. The cases of weakly and highly excited states are considered, discussing to what extent it is possible to talk about the phase for a single-mode field. This operator is applied to some interesting two-mode fields.
%~