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Swept-wavelength null polarimeter for high-speed weak anisotropy measurements
Optics Express
|October 12, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a fast null polarimetry technique for measuring optical anisotropy. The method achieves high sensitivity for both linear and circular retardance, with potential applications in biological imaging.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Null-polarimeters offer high sensitivity for anisotropy measurements.
- Existing methods are limited in speed for detecting small optical activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid null polarimetry technique for measuring linear and circular retardance.
- To achieve high sensitivity and speed using spectrally encoded light polarization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an original null polarimetry configuration with spectrally encoded light polarization.
- Employed passive polarization optics and a high-speed wavelength-swept laser source.
- Achieved a minimum acquisition time of 10 µs.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated single-pass sensitivity of 55 nrad/Hz for linear retardance.
- Achieved single-pass sensitivity of 45 nrad/Hz for circular retardance.
- The method offers simultaneous measurement of both retardance types with high sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The developed null polarimetry method provides unprecedented speed and sensitivity.
- Its compactness and rapidity make it suitable for integration into laser scanning microscopes.
- This technique holds significant potential for revealing subtle anisotropies in biological tissues.
