Polarized light in anisotropic medium versus a spin in a magnetic field

The analogy between polarization optics effects and the dynamics of a spin in a magnetic field is analyzed based on the fact that the Bloch equation f or a spin in a magnetic field is formally identical to the evolution equati on for the quasi-spin vector of a light wave in an optically anisotropic me dium. Among the effects discussed within this framework are light polarizat ion beats in a birefringent medium; optical activity suppression in linearl y birefringent media; suppression of linear birefringence in gyration modul ated media; 'adiabatic' transformation of light polarization in media of sm oothly varying anisotropy; and two- and three-pulse polarization echoes. Wh ile the last-named effect has not, to the authors' knowledge, been mentione d in the literature, it can be of practical interest for fiber-optics commu nication and optical information processing technologies.