Alba Peinado, Angel Lizana, Josep Vidal, Claudio Iemmi, and Juan Campos, "Optimized Stokes polarimeters based on a single twisted nematic liquid-crystal device for the minimization of noise propagation," Appl. Opt. 50, 5437-5445 (2011)
This work evidences the suitability of applying a single twisted nematic liquid-crystal (TN-LC) device to obtain dynamic polarimeters with high accuracy and repeatability. Different Stokes polarimeter setups based on a TN-LC device are optimized, leading to the minimization of the noise propagated from intensity measurements to the Stokes vector calculations. To this aim, we revise the influence of working out of normal incidence and of performing a double pass of the light beam through the LC device. In addition, because transmissive TN-LC devices act as elliptical retarders, an extra study is performed. It analyzes the influence of projecting the light exiting from the TN-LC device over elliptical states of polarization. Finally, diverse optimized polarimeters are experimentally implemented and validated by measuring different states of partially and fully polarized light. The analysis is conducted both for monochromatic (He–Ne laser) and LED light sources, proving the potential of polarimeters based on a single TN-LC device.
Gak Seok Lee, Jeong Hyun Lee, Dong Han Song, Jae Chang Kim, Tae-Hoon Yoon, Dae Lim Park, Seong Soo Hwang, Dae Hyun Kim, and Sung Il Park Appl. Opt. 47(16) 3041-3047 (2008)
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Optimization Results by Minimizing the EWV Indicator Corresponding to Polarimeters A–F (Using Four Projection SOPs)a
A
B
C
D
E
F
LP θ
WP θ
—
—
—
EWV
6.82
4.88
3.70
3.50
3.88
2.78
CN
4.66
3.61
2.69
2.69
3.06
1.98
In the first two rows are the optimum LP orientation and QWP angle. In the last two rows are QI (CN and EWV) values corresponding to the optimized polarimeters.
Table 2
Stokes Parameters of Three Different SOPs (the Stokes Vectors Are Normalized) Measured by Each Implemented Polarimeter (A, B, C, D, E, and F), when Monochromatic Light Is Employeda
Linear SOP
Elliptical SOP
Circular SOP
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
Expected values
0.5
0.866
0
0
0.866
0.5
0
0
1
A
Thorlabs
B
Thorlabs
C
Thorlabs
D
Thorlabs
E
Thorlabs
F
Thorlabs
SOPs are also measured with the commercial polarimeter (Thorlabs).
Table 3
Normalized Stokes Parameters (Fully Polarized Contribution) and DOP Measurements of Two Different SOPs Partially Polarized by Means of Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when Monochromatic Light Is Used
S1
S2
S3
DOP
SOP 1
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
SOP 2
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
Table 4
Stokes Parameters of Three Different States of Polarization (the Stokes Vectors are Normalized) Measured by Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when They are Illuminated with an LED Light Source
Linear SOP
Elliptical SOP
Circular SOP
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
Expected values
0.5
0.866
0
0
0.866
0.5
0
0
1
D
Thorlabs
Table 5
Normalized Stokes Parameters (Fully Polarized Contribution) and DOP Measurements of Two Different SOPs Partially Polarized by Means of Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when an LED Light Source Is Employed
S1
S2
S3
DOP
SOP 1
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
SOP 2
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
Table 6
Features of the TN-LC Device Employed in the Polarimeter Setups
Twist Angle (°)
Maximum Birefringence for (°)
Orientation of the Molecular Director at the Input Face (°)
93.24
276.51
48.01
Tables (6)
Table 1
Optimization Results by Minimizing the EWV Indicator Corresponding to Polarimeters A–F (Using Four Projection SOPs)a
A
B
C
D
E
F
LP θ
WP θ
—
—
—
EWV
6.82
4.88
3.70
3.50
3.88
2.78
CN
4.66
3.61
2.69
2.69
3.06
1.98
In the first two rows are the optimum LP orientation and QWP angle. In the last two rows are QI (CN and EWV) values corresponding to the optimized polarimeters.
Table 2
Stokes Parameters of Three Different SOPs (the Stokes Vectors Are Normalized) Measured by Each Implemented Polarimeter (A, B, C, D, E, and F), when Monochromatic Light Is Employeda
Linear SOP
Elliptical SOP
Circular SOP
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
Expected values
0.5
0.866
0
0
0.866
0.5
0
0
1
A
Thorlabs
B
Thorlabs
C
Thorlabs
D
Thorlabs
E
Thorlabs
F
Thorlabs
SOPs are also measured with the commercial polarimeter (Thorlabs).
Table 3
Normalized Stokes Parameters (Fully Polarized Contribution) and DOP Measurements of Two Different SOPs Partially Polarized by Means of Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when Monochromatic Light Is Used
S1
S2
S3
DOP
SOP 1
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
SOP 2
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
Table 4
Stokes Parameters of Three Different States of Polarization (the Stokes Vectors are Normalized) Measured by Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when They are Illuminated with an LED Light Source
Linear SOP
Elliptical SOP
Circular SOP
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
S1
S2
S3
Expected values
0.5
0.866
0
0
0.866
0.5
0
0
1
D
Thorlabs
Table 5
Normalized Stokes Parameters (Fully Polarized Contribution) and DOP Measurements of Two Different SOPs Partially Polarized by Means of Polarimeter D and the Commercial Polarimeter (Thorlabs), when an LED Light Source Is Employed
S1
S2
S3
DOP
SOP 1
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
SOP 2
Polarimeter D
Thorlabs
Table 6
Features of the TN-LC Device Employed in the Polarimeter Setups
Twist Angle (°)
Maximum Birefringence for (°)
Orientation of the Molecular Director at the Input Face (°)