Retardance in three-dimensional polarization ray tracing

A three-by-three polarization ray tracing matrix P which is defined in global coordinates characterizes the polarization transformations associated with single ray through optical system. The P matrix contains both a geometrical transformation effect and the polarization characteristics of diattenuation and retardance from the optical and polarization elements. In order to separate the geometrical transformation and calculate the "physical" retardance, a non-polarizing ray tracing matrix Q is used. The diattenuation and the retardance of a dove prism are analyzed as an example.