Fast imaging polarimeter for magneto-optical investigations

Citation
Rj. Wijngaarden et al., Fast imaging polarimeter for magneto-optical investigations, REV SCI INS, 72(6), 2001, pp. 2661-2664
Citations number
8
Categorie Soggetti
Spectroscopy /Instrumentation/Analytical Sciences","Instrumentation & Measurement
Journal title
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
ISSN journal
00346748 → ACNP
Volume
72
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2661 - 2664
Database
ISI
SICI code
0034-6748(200106)72:6<2661:FIPFMI>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
A new imaging polarimeter for magneto-optical investigations is described. Improvements over conventional magneto-optics are: it (i) is insensitive to uneven illumination, (ii) determines also the sign of the magnetic field, and (iii) has significantly improved sensitivity at small magnetic fields. The typical root-mean-square (rms) noise level is 0.7 mT Hz(-1/2) for a sin gle pixel, corresponding to a polarization rotation of 0.03 deg Hz(.)(-1/2) With limited temporal and spatial averaging, the rms error in magnetizatio n profiles can be reduced to < 10 muT, corresponding to 4x10(-4) deg. Time resolution is 12 frames per second. Demonstration of the performance of the polarimeter is given for measurements of the local field above superconduc tors and for measurements of the rotation angle of sugar dissolved in water . (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.