Term: Stokes parameters
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06030

Definition:
Of elliptically polarized incident radiation, these are given by \[s_{0}^{0}=E_{1}^{0}+E_{2}^{0}\] \[s_{1}^{0}=E_{1}^{0}- E_{2}^{0}\] \[s_{2}^{0}=2\ \sqrt{E_{1}^{0}\ E_{2}^{0}}\ \cos   \delta ^{0}\] \[s_{3}^{0}=2\ \sqrt{E_{1}^{0}\ E_{2}^{0}}\ \sin   \delta ^{0}\] where E1^0 and E2^0 specify the irradiances of the incident light polarized with their electric vectors vibrating perpendicular and parallel to the scattering, respectively and δ 0 is the phase difference between these electric vectors.

Related Terms:
1) scattering matrix (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05492).
2) radiation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05048).
3) irradiances (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03254).
4) scattering (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05493).

Source: PAC, 1983, 55, 931. 'Definitions, terminology and symbols in colloid and surface chemistry. Part 1.14: Light scattering (Provisional)' on page 933 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355060931)

Citation: 'Stokes parameters' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06030

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