Polarized light in anisotropic medium with twisting

The evolution of state of light polarization in a smoothly inhomogeneous anisotropic medium is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The analytical expressions describing the polarization state in such a medium are obtained. In particular, the results of analysis are applicable to a nematic liquid crystal with twist orientation. It is shown that although the polarization state, when light propagates in such a medium, undergoes oscillations, spatial frequency of which depends on the thickness of the sample, nevertheless, the phenomenon of adiabatic tracking is observed at the exit in the case of both input e and o waves. The experiments confirm the results of theoretical analysis.