Stokes → Wave Helix Visualizer

Enter Stokes parameters (I, Q, U, V). This renders the electric field vector (E_x, E_y) as a 3D helix for a plane wave propagating along +z. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom.

Stokes Parameters

I (total intensity) Q U V

Wave / Plot Controls

Cycles along z Samples per cycle Radius scale (px) Animate time Angular speed (rad/s)

View

Yaw (°) Pitch (°) Perspective Depth fade

Derived State

Uses Stokes → Jones mapping (up to global phase). Unpolarized fraction (1 − P) does not contribute to a deterministic helix. Mapping: ψ = ½ atan2(U, Q), χ = ½ asin(V/I).

Drag to rotate · Scroll to zoom