Open AccessError analysis of single-snapshot full-Stokes division-of-aperture imaging polarimeters
Author(s) -
Tingkui Mu,
Chunmin Zhang,
Qiwei Li,
Rongguang Liang
Publication year - 2015
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.23.010822
Subject(s) - polarimeter , polarimetry , snapshot (computer storage) , optics , stokes parameters , physics , polarization (electrochemistry) , image resolution , detector , mueller calculus , computer science , scattering , chemistry , operating system
Single-snapshot full-Stokes imaging polarimetry is a powerful tool for the acquisition of the spatial polarization information in real time. According to the general linear model of a polarimeter, to recover full Stokes parameters at least four polarimetric intensities should be measured. In this paper, four types of single-snapshot full-Stokes division-of-aperture imaging polarimeter with four subapertures are presented and compared, with maximum spatial resolution for each polarimetric image on a single area-array detector. By using the error propagation theories for different incident states of polarization, the performance of four polarimeters are evaluated for several main sources of error, including retardance error, alignment error of retarders, and noise perturbation. The results show that the configuration of four 132° retarders with angular positions of ( ± 51.7°, ± 15.1°) is an optimal choice for the configuration of four subaperture single-snapshot full-Stokes imaging polarimeter. The tolerance and uncertainty of this configuration are analyzed.