Optical noise induced by Gaussian sources in Stokes parameter measurements

A novel formalism for determining the source-induced noise in Stokes parameter measurements is derived for sources with Gaussian statistics. The formalism is based on a concise expression for the autocovariance functions of the Stokes parameters in terms of the second-order correlation properties of the optical field. At the output of an optical system, source-induced noise can result not only from the intensity fluctuations of the source but also from phase or polarization fluctuations. To describe the effect of the system, another formalism for the propagation of the second-order correlation properties of the optical field is derived. We apply the formalisms to analyze source-induced noise at the output of a birefringent medium, and in coherence-multiplexing networks.