Optimization of retardance for a complete Stokes polarimeter
We present two figures of merit based on singular value decomposition, which can be used to assess the noise immunity of a complete Stokes polarimeter. These are used to optimize a polarimeter featuring a rotatable retarder and a fixed polarizer. A retardance of 132 degree sign (approximately three-eighths wave) and retarder orientation angles of {+-}51.7{sup (convolution} {sup sign)} and {+-}15.1{sup (convolution} {sup sign)} are found to be optimal when four measurements are used. Use of this retardance affords a factor-of-1.5 improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over systems employing a quarter-wave plate. A geometric means of visualizing the optimization process is discussed, and the advantages of the use of additional measurements are investigated. No advantage of using retarder orientation angles spaced uniformly through 360 degree sign is found over repeated measurements made at the four retarder orientation angles. (c) 2000 Optical Society of America.
- OSTI ID:
- 20216766
- Journal Information:
- Optics Letters, Vol. 25, Issue 11; Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 2000; ISSN 0146-9592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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