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Rotating-polarizer polarimeter for accurate retardance measurement

Published

Author(s)

Paul A. Williams, Allen Rose, Chih-Ming Wang

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

Citation

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 April 19, 2024)
Created September 1, 1997, Updated February 17, 2017