Polarization of free electromagnetic field and electromagnetic radiation in quantum domain

Abstract

Il is shown that conventional disreg;ird.of lo.ngitudinal component, which always e~ists iil radiation ofa localized source, can lead to some. qualitative errors in the description 9f polarization within the quantum domain. A new definition of gcneral\zed Sto.kes pijrameters an:d corresponding operators is discussed.