Poincaré sphere

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Poincaré sphere by Ciro Santilli 34 Updated 2024-12-15 +Created 1970-01-01
A more photon-specific version of the Bloch sphere.
In it, each of the six sides has a clear and simple to understand photon polarization state, either of:
  • left/right
  • diagonal up/diagonal down
  • rotation clockwise/counterclockwise
The sphere clearly suggests for example that a rotational or diagonal polarizations are the combination of left/right with the correct phase. This is clearly explained at: Video "Quantum Mechanics 9b - Photon Spin and Schrodinger's Cat II by ViaScience (2013)".
Figure 1.
Poincare sphere
. Source.
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