STATISTICS OF THE STOKES PARAMETERS FOR GAUSSIAN DISTRIBUTED FIELDS

We present a statistical characterization of the Stokes parameters S(j) (through their first-order cumulants and probability density functions) for a set of partially polarized, quasi-monochromatic plane waves which is gaussian distributed. The coherency matrix formalism along with the geometric interpretation of the Stokes parameters provide guidance for these analytical calculations. Among many results, it is found that, except for totally unpolarized light, the probability density functions of S(j) (j = 1, 2, 3) are not generally symmetric around their means.