Open AccessCompact complete imaging polarimeter using birefringent wedge prisms
Author(s) -
Koichi Oka,
Toshiaki Kaneko
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.11.001510
Subject(s) - optics , polarimeter , birefringence , monochromatic color , polarization (electrochemistry) , wedge (geometry) , stokes parameters , azimuth , physics , fourier transform , polarimetry , materials science , chemistry , quantum mechanics , scattering
This paper describes a method for the mapping of spatially distributed states-of-polarization of light with a simple and compact configuration. A tiny block of polarization-analyzing optics, consisting of four thin birefringent wedge prisms and a sheet analyzer, are incorporated into an imaging polarimeter, such that mesh-like multiple fringes are generated over a CCD image sensor of a video camera. Fourier analysis of the obtained fringes provides information for determining the two-dimensional distribution of the state-of-polarization. No mechanical or active elements for analyzing polarization are used, and all the parameters related to the spatially-dependent monochromatic Stokes parameters corresponding to azimuth and ellipticity angles can be determined from a single frame. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by a prototype incorporating calcite wedge prisms.