Determination of the polarization state of x rays with the help of anomalous transmission

Journal Article · Mon Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4872180· OSTI ID:22262588

Uschmann, I.; Förster, E. ^[1]; Marx, B.; Paulus, G. G. ^[1]; Stöhlker, T. ^[2]

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1. Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena (Germany)
2. Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, D-07743 Jena (Germany)

Besides intensity and direction, the polarization of an electromagnetic wave provides characteristic information on the crossed medium. Here, we present two methods for the determination of the polarization state of x rays by polarizers based on anomalous transmission (Borrmann effect). Using a polarizer-analyzer setup, we have measured a polarization purity of less than 1.5 × 10{sup −5}, three orders of magnitude better than obtained in earlier work. Using the analyzer crystal in multiple-beam case with slightly detuned azimuth, we show how the first three Stokes parameters can be determined with a single angular scan. Thus, polarization analyzers based on anomalous transmission make it possible to detect changes of the polarization in a range from degrees down to arcseconds.

• OSTI ID: 22262588
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 15; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CRYSTALS
IMPURITIES
POLARIZATION
STOKES PARAMETERS
TRANSMISSION
X RADIATION