Static hyperspectral imaging polarimeter for full linear Stokes parameters

Abstract

A compact, static hyperspectral imaging linear polarimeter (HILP) based on a Savart interferometer (SI) is conceptually described. It improves the existing SI by replacing front polarizer with two Wollaston prisms, and can simultaneously acquire four interferograms corresponding to four linearly polarized lights on a single CCD. The spectral dependence of linear Stokes parameters can be recovered with Fourier transformation. Since there is no rotating or moving parts, the system is relatively robust. The interference model of the HILP is proved. The performance of the system is demonstrated through a numerical simulation, and the methods for compensating the imperfection of the polarization elements are described.

Optimal design and performance metric of broadband full-Stokes polarimeters with immunity to Poisson and Gaussian noise

“…They can combine with spectrometers to form spectropolarimeters, modulating spectrally-resolved polarization state in a variety of spectral lines [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. To demodulate the full-Stokes vector that consists of four Stokes components ( 0 S , 1 S , 2 S , 3 S ), the polarimeters should have no less than four modulation states [14,15].…”

A tilt-compensated Fourier transform spectrometer with an image rotator

“…To overcome or avoid this special weakness, many techniques in FTSs have been advanced in several ways in recent decades, e.g. : (1) improved performance of the drive and bearing system of the moving plane mirror to constrain its tilt [1,2]; (2) a dynamic adjustment system to compensate the tilt of the moving mirror, in which the assisted laser interference is often used [3,4]; (3) replacement of the moving plane mirror by other optical elements, such as the Cube Corner Retroreflector (CCR), Cat's eye mirror, or wedge plate [5][6][7]; (4) improvement of the optical configuration design and to resolve the tilt issue in principle [8]; (5) development of a novel static FTS to avoid the use of a moving mirror [9][10][11]. To date, high performance (e.g., high spectral resolution and high sensitivity) FTSs using a moving mirror are widely used in different fields.…”

Tests of a compact static Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeter

“…Recently, several improving aperture/amplitude division methods were proposed to modulate the Stokes parameters into the imaging spectrometer by using relatively simple polarized arrays and lens arrays [5,6]. However, differences in distortion, focal length, and transmission coefficient of the optics necessitate sophisticated image registration algorithms [7][8][9].…”