Abstract

This polarization sensor¹ is analyzed for a general arrangement of four detectors with an arbitrary spatial configuration and any reflection characteristics (r_i, ψ_i, Δ_i) of the individual detector surfaces. The instrument matrix A, which relates the output signal vector I to the input Stokes vector S by I = A • S, and its determinant are derived explicitly. The essential condition that A be nonsingular (det A ≠ 0) is satisfied in general with uncoated planar absorbing detector surfaces assuming that the plane of incidence (POI) is rotated between the first and second and second and third reflections. Consequently, no single-layer or multilayer coatings are required, especially when the extinction coefficient of the detector material is ≫0. Interestingly, the differential reflection phase shift Δ is unrestricted for the first and third detectors and has an optimum value of 90° for the second. The optimum rotation angles of the POI are 45° (or 135°). The optimum values of the surface parameter ψ are 27.37°, 22.5° (or 67.5°), and 0 (or 90°) for the first, second, and third reflections, respectively. (The last value indicates that the third detector may act as a linear polarizer.) The following are also considered: (1) partition of energy among detectors; (2) specific light-beam paths; (3) efficient calibration schemes; (4) effect of tilting the last detector; and (5) fundamental differences between this and other polarimeters.

© 1987 Optical Society of America