Electromagnetic waves and Stokes parameters in the wake of a gravitational wave
arXiv:1206.3526 · doi:10.1007/s10714-012-1434-4
Abstract
A theoretical description of electromagnetic waves in the background of a (weak) gravitational wave is presented. Explicit expressions are obtained for the Stokes parameters during the passage of a plane-fronted gravitational wave described by the Ehlers-Kundt metric. In particular, it is shown that the axis of the polarization ellipse oscillates, its ellipticity remaining constant.