Optimal configurations for different incident polarization states in linear polarization calibration

The purpose of polarization calibration is to measure the response matrix of an instrument and the deviation of noise to correct for subsequent flight measurements. The precision, however, is relative to the states of incident light. We investigate the influence of partially polarized light, in the presence of signal-independent additive noise or signal-dependent Poisson shot noise. We obtain the estimation precision for different numbers of the polarization state generators and analyzers in linear Stokes measurements. To reduce the influence of incident light, we suggest that the numbers of the polarization state generators and analyzers should be greater than or equal to 4. In particular, for an instrument including three polarizers oriented at 0°, 60°, and 120°, estimation precision is found to be dependent on the response matrix and incident polarization states.