Polarization waves as observable phenomena

The concept of the polarization wave is introduced by bringing together under this name a series of generally space-time-varying polarization phenomena. Unlike the light wave, the polarization wave belongs to the class of observable phenomena. The mathematical entities describing the polarization waves are introduced in an inductive way starting from some fundamental examples. The issues are conceived as a further step in building the optics of observables. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.