Backscattering Mueller matrix measurement scheme using the same polarizing–analyzing optics

Abstract

Mueller matrix measurements are most commonly performed using a set of polarization state generating (PSG) optics and an independent set of polarization state analyzing (PSA) optics. However, for polarized confocal microscopy and polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography it would be advantageous if the same set of polarization optics could be used for both PSG as well as PSA. This has not been possible because, in this configuration, a complete set of incident and analyzer states cannot be generated using polarizers and waveplates alone. In an earlier attempt to address this issue it was shown that by using two Faraday rotators, with independently variable circular retardance, in the polarization optics, complete Mueller matrix measurement can be performed. However, a practical implementation of this approach has proved to be difficult due to the requirement to vary the circular retardance. In this paper we show that by incorporating only one Faraday rotator in the polarization optics, one can generate the complete set of incident and analyzer states required for Mueller matrix measurements without the need to vary the circular retardance of the Faraday rotator.

Dual division of focal plane polarimeters-based collinear reflection Mueller matrix fast imaging microscope

“…There are many previous works on collinear reflection MM measurements, including point-measurement 11 , 12 and imaging. 13 – 18 We have reported a collinear reflection Mueller matrix microscope (CRMMM) based on dual rotating retarders (DRR-CRMMM), 19 both the polarization state generator (PSG) and the polarization state analyzer (PSA) consist of a fixed linear polarizer and a rotatable phase retarder.…”

Generalized Stokes vector for three photon process

“…Mueller matrix of a material depends on the scattering geometry and the probing wavelength. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Mueller matrices have been widely used in studying linear scattering process. [17][18][19][20][21] Utility of Mueller matrix measurement has found wide applications in biophotonics, remote sensing, radar polarimetry, and understanding di®erent optical systems.…”