GENERAL TECHNIQUE FOR DISCRETE RETARDATION-MODULATION POLARIMETRY

The general theory and rigorous solutions of the Stokes parameters of light of a new technique in time-resolved ellipsometry are outlined. I n this technique the phase of the linear retarder is stepped over thre e discrete values over a time interval for which the Stokes vector is determined. The technique has an advantage over synchronous detection techniques, as it can be implemented as a digitizable system.