Jones matrix description of Fabry-Perot interference in a single axis photo-elastic modulator and the consequences for the magneto-optical measurement method

Abstract

When using a Photo-elastic modulator (PEM) in combination with a coherent light source, in addition to the modulation of the phase, Fabry-Perot interference in the PEM’s optical head induces large offsets in the 1ω and 2ω detector signals. A Jones matrix which describes both effects simultaneously, was derived for a single axis PEM and used to find an expression for the detector signal for two different MO Kerr setups. The effect of the PEM tilt angle, polarizer angle, analyzer angle, and retardation, on the detector signal offsets show that offsets can be zeroed by adjusting PEM tilt angle, polarizer angle, and retardation. This strategy will allow one to avoid large offset drifts due to the small retardation, intensity, and beam direction fluctuations caused by lab temperature fluctuations. In addition, it will enable one to measure in the most sensitive range of the lock-in amplifiers further improving the signal to noise ratio of the setup.