Generalized theory and application of Stokes parameter measurements made with a single photoelastic modulator

Journal Article · Fri Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2353894· OSTI ID:20884737

Yanwei, Liu; Jones, Grenville A; Yong, Peng; Shen, Tiehan H ^[1]

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1. Joule Physics Laboratory, Institute for Materials Research, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT (United Kingdom)

We report in this paper a generalized theory that describes the interaction between a monochromatic light beam and an optical system that includes one photoelastic modulator, one analyzer, and one photodetector. Based on the theory, a detailed four-step procedure is presented, which allows a precise measurement of the four Stokes parameters. An analysis of the systematic and random errors arising from the four-step measurements is also given as well as a calibration procedure that involves the use of a general retardation plate. As a practical application the procedure is used to analyze the magneto-optical properties of magnetic thin films grown on GaAs(001) substrates.

• OSTI ID: 20884737
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 100, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2353894; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CALIBRATION
ERRORS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
MODULATION
MONOCHROMATIC RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PHOTODETECTORS
PHOTOELASTICITY
RANDOMNESS
STOKES PARAMETERS
SUBSTRATES
THIN FILMS
VISIBLE RADIATION