Simple quantum model for light depolarization

Abstract

Depolarization of quantum fields is handled through a master equation of the Lindblad type. The specific feature of the proposed model is that it couples dispersively the field modes to a randomly distributed atomic reservoir, much in the classical spirit of dealing with this problem. The depolarizing dynamics resulting from this model is analyzed for relevant states.

Improved version. Accepted for publication in the Journal of the Optical Society of America B