Complex Polarization Angle: Basic properties and applications in microwave plasma diagnostics

Evolution of electromagnetic waves in weakly anisotropic media can be described adequately by quasi-isotropic approximation (QIA) of geometrical optics method. At this paper, QIA equations are presented in a compact form by involving the complex polarization angle (CPA). Relations between CPA and traditional parameters of polarization ellipse are established. Besides, equations for CPA and for traditional polarization parameters are derived for EM waves, propagating in the inhomogeneous magnetized plasma accounting both Faraday and Cotton-Mouton effects.