mittepolarised

Mittepolarised is a term used in optics to describe a center-referenced polarization pattern in electromagnetic radiation. The word combines mitte, the German word for center, with polarised, signaling an emphasis on the beam’s cross-sectional center as the reference point for describing the polarization state.

Definition and characteristics. In discussions where the term is applied, a mittepolarised beam exhibits a polarization distribution that is not uniform across the transverse plane. The polarization direction or degree may vary with radial distance from the center, with a specified orientation at the center and a gradual change toward the edges. Such patterns may arise in tightly focused beams, specially engineered vector beams, or after propagation through anisotropic media.

Relation to other concepts. Mittepolarised shares affinities with vector-beam families such as radial and azimuthal polarization, which also involve spatially varying polarization. However, unlike the standard radial/azimuthal types, the mittepolarised description centers on a center-based reference for its definition, and definitions can differ between authors due to the term's informal status.

Applications and implications. A well-defined mittepolarised state could be relevant to polarization-sensitive imaging, optical trapping, and beam shaping, where spatial polarization structure influences light–matter interaction or focal field properties. The term remains nonstandard in most literature.

Status and terminology. At present, mittepolarised is a niche or emerging term with limited usage. Users typically rely on more established descriptors of polarization patterns, such as linear, circular, or vector-beam classifications, and should define the term clearly when used.