OPTICS LETTERS, vol.35, no.10, pp.1704-1706, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
The generalized Stokes parameters (GSP) are studied under the theory of phase space. It is noted that phase-space Stokes parameters can be a useful tool for Wigner distribution function measurements. Electromagnetic Wigner functions are introduced by use of the two-point statistics of GSP. The advantage in the GSP is that they can be measured in terms of the electric correlation matrix (which is a measurable quantity) or they can be measured independently. Hence, the GSP help in finding the polarization and coherence properties of electromagnetic beams. Within this framework, by using the GSP in phase space, the intensity feature of electromagnetic beams in phase space is given, as well. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America