Simple calibration procedure for a full-Stokes imaging polarimeter using a polarized camera.

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Polarimetry
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Full-Stokes imaging polarimetry is crucial for characterizing polarized light.
• Accurate calibration of polarimetric instruments is essential for reliable data.
• Liquid-crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) are commonly used tunable optical components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simple and robust calibration procedure for a full-Stokes imaging polarimeter.
• To develop an efficient data-extraction process for polarization measurements.
• To enable real-time field calibration of polarimetric systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a polarized camera and a liquid-crystal variable retarder (LCVR).
• Calibrated the LCVR using polarization images with a horizontal linear polarizer.
• Measured the Stokes vector using two images with specific LCVR retardance values.

Main Results:

• A straightforward calibration procedure was successfully developed.
• The data-extraction process was simplified for practical use.
• The method demonstrated robustness for field applications.

Conclusions:

• The proposed calibration procedure is simple, robust, and effective.
• This method facilitates accurate real-time calibration of full-Stokes imaging polarimeters.
• The technique is highly applicable for field-based polarization measurements.