Interferometric weak value of polarization observable and differential Jones matrix algebra

Abstract

Abstract The quantification of simultaneously present weak polarization anisotropy effects are of practical interest from polarimetric and metrological perspective. Recently, in Modak et al (2021 Phys. Rev. A 103 053518), we experimentally demonstrated a classical analog of post-selected quantum weak measurement through optical interferometry to amplify all possible weak polarization anisotropy effects individually. Here, we propose an extension of this interferometric framework for applying it in a realistic scenario to quantify simultaneously present polarization anisotropy effects. Moreover, a clear correspondence of differential Jones matrix approach with the present scheme is indicated. The proposed scheme enables the measurement of differential Jones matrices through characteristic Stokes vector elements. Our proposal leads to a new class of polarimeter for experimental detection of differential Jones matrix of non-depolarizing anisotropic medium exhibiting simultaneous multiple polarimetric effects of tiny magnitude.