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arXiv · 1009.1821

Fast and optimal broad-band Stokes/Mueller polarimeter design by the use of a genetic algorithm

Paul Anton Letnes·Ingar Stian Nerbø·Lars Martin Sandvik Aas·Pål Gunnar Ellingsen·Morten Kildemo
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Abstract

A fast multichannel Stokes/Mueller polarimeter with no mechanically moving parts has been designed to have close to optimal performance from 430-2000 nm by applying a genetic algorithm. Stokes (Mueller) polarimeters are characterized by their ability to analyze the full Stokes (Mueller) vector (matrix) of the incident light. This ability is characterized by the condition number, $κ$, which directly influences the measurement noise in polarimetric measurements. Due to the spectral dependence of the retardance in birefringent materials, it is not trivial to design a polarimeter using dispersive components. We present here both a method to do this optimization using a genetic algorithm, as well as simulation results. Our results include fast, broad-band polarimeter designs for spectrographic use, based on 2 and 3 Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals, whose material properties are taken from measured values. The results promise to reduce the measurement noise significantly over previous designs, up to a factor of 4.5 for a Mueller polarimeter, in addition to extending the spectral range.

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Paul Anton Letnes, Ingar Stian Nerbø, Lars Martin Sandvik Aas, Pål Gunnar Ellingsen, Morten Kildemo. 2010-10-07. Fast and optimal broad-band Stokes/Mueller polarimeter design by the use of a genetic algorithm. https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.18.023095

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