Abstract
Based on the recently formulated unified theory of coherence and polarization of light, we explore the behavior of the intensity–intensity correlations and the auxiliary quantity called the degree of cross-polarization in stochastic electromagnetic beams upon their passage through the devices of polarization optics. In particular, the effects of deterministic devices (such as polarizers, absorbers, compensators, and rotators) as well as of random devices (such as spatial light modulators) on passing beams are investigated. Our results may find applications in polarimetric communications, imaging and sensing.
