Williams, P.
, Rose, A.
and Wang, C.
(1997),
Rotating-polarizer polarimeter for accurate retardance measurement, Optics Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=15050
(Accessed October 11, 2025)
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Rotating-polarizer polarimeter for accurate retardance measurement
Published
Author(s)
, Allen Rose,
Abstract
We demonstrate an automated polarimeter based on a rotating polarizer for the measurement oflinear retardance independent oflaser power and detector gain. The retardance is found when a curve is fitted to a unique normalization of the intensity response of the polarimeter over a range of input polarizer orientations. The performance of this polarimeter is optimal for measurements of quarter-wave retardance and minimal for half-wave retardance. Uncertainties are demonstrated by measurements on six stable double Fresnel rhombs of nominal quarter-wave retardance, yielding expanded uncertainties between 0.031 ° and 0.067°. The accuracy has also been verified by blind comparisons with interferometric and modified null retardance measurement techniques.Citation
Optics Letters
Volume
36
Issue
25
Pub Type
Journals
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Created September 1, 1997, Updated February 17, 2017