Computer-aided polarimetry involving nonideal optical components

John R. Engel

doi:10.1117/12.138802

11 December 1992 Computer-aided polarimetry involving nonideal optical components

John R. Engel

Proceedings Volume 1746, Polarization Analysis and Measurement; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138802
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Polarimeter design often involves the use of the Mueller matrix formalism. For relatively simple, idealized optical systems this formalism provides elegant results. However, when polarimeters have several optical components and their imperfections are considered, the Mueller calculus can become complex. With the computing power readily available today it is possible to perform the Mueller calculus in software, both symbolically and numerically. This capability makes it feasible to design and operate polarimeters having complicated intensity functions due to non-ideal optical components. Using a generalized linear least squares method it is possible to recover source polarization from intensity measurements even if a polarimeter has imperfect components. What this requires is a determination of the polarimeter's modulation functions, either by computer modelling or by direct measurement using a known Stokes source. We discuss our work implementing computer-aided polarimetry using the Mueller calculus and application of this methodology for doing polarimetry with non-ideal optical components. In particular, we present results of a computer simulation of an imaging polarimeter which has a quarter-wave plate with nonuniform retardance. Our results indicate that by the polarimetry approach discussed here this retardance `imperfection' will not prevent the polarimeter from accurately measuring the source polarization.

Citation Download Citation

John R. Engel "Computer-aided polarimetry involving nonideal optical components", Proc. SPIE 1746, Polarization Analysis and Measurement, (11 December 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138802

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available