Dynamic acousto-optic photopolarimeter spectrophotopolarimeter

We propose a novel technique for a new division-of-amplitude photopolarimet er capable of complete measurement of the state of polarization of light, a s determined by the four Stokes parameters. This photopolarimeter uses an a cousto-optic cell in the Raman-Nath regime as a beam splitter to divide the incident beam into four or more components that are used to determine the four Stokes parameters of the incident beam. The acousto-optic photopolarim eter uses no movable parts and thus rapid and simultaneous measurements of the four Stokes parameters are obtained. The instrument matrix of this inst rument is nonsingular, hence the state of polarization is completely determ ined. The acousto-optic photopolarimeter utilizes the useful dynamic gratin g property that functions as a temporary beam splitter. Power distribution and angle deviations can be easily controlled by varying the driving acoust ooptic intensity and frequency. When properly enhanced, this dynamic proper ty can be very useful for several in-line analysis applications. (C) 1999 S ociety of Photo-Optical instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(99)01207-6].