A simple and effective model for Jones matrix to evaluate the transmission performance of Savart polariscope

Starting from the wave normal tracing treatment in the Savart polariscope that relates the Jones matrix to its transmission performance, this paper establishes a simple and effective model for the Jones matrix at an arbitrary incidence in the spatial domain. Analytical expressions of all the matrix components are determined with the consideration of all the main impact factors. This model needs only a few parameters hence it is convenient to be employed to evaluate the propagation performance of any birefringent optical system. The simulated results obtained with it demonstrate that this model gives a precise representation of the characteristic of light propagation in the Savart polariscope. This would provide useful suggestions for the design, calibration, and performance improvement of any other birefringent polarisation element and optical system.