Analysis of depolarizing Mueller matrices through a symmetric decomposition.

A product decomposition of a depolarizing Mueller matrix consisting in the sequence of five factors-a diagonal depolarizer stacked between two retarder and diattenuator pairs-is proposed. This novel "symmetric" decomposition allows for a straightforward interpretation and parameterization of an experimentally determined Mueller matrix in terms of an arrangement of polarization devices and their characteristic parameters: diattenuations, retardances, and axis azimuths. Its application is illustrated on experimentally determined Mueller matrices.