Paraxial propagation along the optical axis of a uniaxial medium.

An approach for describing paraxial propagation of light along the optical axis of a uniaxial medium is introduced. Contrary to previous theoretical schemes, our approach directly deals with the propagation of the whole optical field without resorting to the standard decomposition into ordinary and extraordinary parts, thus avoiding some related mathematical difficulties. A paraxial equation governing the field propagation has been derived, and its formal solution has been deduced.

Stokes parameters of a Gaussian beam in a calcite crystal.

We derive the analytical expression of the Stokes parameters corresponding to a Gaussian beam propagating along the optical axis of a uniaxial crystal, pointing the simultaneous effects of anisotropy and diffraction out. The theoretical results are compared with experimental measurements at the output of a calcite crystal, showing a good agreement.