Abstract

A polarization-state detector (PSD) is constructed of four windowless Si photodetectors that are arranged so that the incident beam is relayed from one detector to the next by three specular reflections at oblique incidence (>50°) and forms a nonplanar path with adequate rotations (~60°) of the plane of incidence between successive reflections. The attenuated beam of a small circularly polarized He-Ne laser is passed through a rotatable polarizer and quarterwave retarder to produce every possible state of total polarization needed for calibration and testing.

© 1987 Optical Society of America