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Related Experiment Videos

Dual-field imaging polarimeter using liquid crystal variable retarders.

Nathan J Pust1, Joseph A Shaw

  • 1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Montana State University, 610 Cobleigh Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.

Applied Optics
|July 21, 2006
PubMed
Summary

A new imaging polarimeter using liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) was developed for sky polarization studies. Careful calibration achieved high accuracy, enabling detailed analysis of ground-based object polarization influenced by sky conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Optical Engineering
  • Remote Sensing
  • Atmospheric Optics

Background:

  • Polarimetry is crucial for understanding light interaction with matter.
  • Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVRs) offer tunable retardance but present unique calibration challenges due to angular dependence.
  • Accurate measurement of sky polarization is essential for interpreting ground-based object polarization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and calibrate an imaging Stokes-vector polarimeter for analyzing sky polarization effects.
  • To investigate the impact of varying sky polarization on ground-based object measurements.
  • To address the specific calibration challenges associated with LCVR-based polarimeters.

Main Methods:

  • Construction and calibration of an imaging Stokes-vector polarimeter utilizing LCVRs.

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  • Operation across five spectral bands (450-700 nm) with switchable narrow and wide fields of view.
  • Rigorous calibration procedures to mitigate LCVR-induced errors.

    • Main Results:

    • The developed polarimeter achieved measurement errors within +/-1.5%.
    • Instrument performance was validated through clear-sky measurements, showing good agreement with existing data.
    • The system demonstrated capability for analyzing cloudy sky conditions, revealing spatial and spectral polarization variations.

    Conclusions:

    • The calibrated LCVR-based imaging polarimeter is a reliable tool for sky polarization research.
    • The instrument effectively quantifies polarization effects of the atmosphere on ground-based observations.
    • This work provides a foundation for further studies into atmospheric polarization phenomena.