Optical polarization singularities and elliptic stationary points

Polarization singularities and elliptic stationary points (collectively, elliptic critical points) were measured experimentally via the complex Stokes field S-1 + iS(2), where S-1 and S-2 are Stokes parameters. This new, easily implemented method yielded detailed, high-resolution experimental data for all elliptic critical points. These data confirm with high precision the elliptic-field topological sign rule, loop rules, and Stokes singularity relations introduced recently. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.