The use of polarization modulation and amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne interferometry for linear birefringence parameters measurement

Hsiu Fong Chang, Chien Chou*, Hui Kang Teng, Hsieh Ting Wu, Hon Fai Yau

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel common-path polarization modulation and amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne polarimeter is setup in order to characterize a phase retardation plate (PRP) in real time. The phase retardation ΔΦ and fast-axis angle β of the linear birefringence parameters (LBP) of a PRP are measured simultaneously. Meanwhile, the dynamic ranges of 0° < ΔΦ < 180° and 0° < β < 180° are demonstrated experimentally. In order to measure LBP in real time, a polarization modulation is introduced by continuously rotating the tested PRP such that ΔΦ and β are able to be obtained in terms of the ratio of the amplitudes of S polarization and the ratio of P polarization of the heterodyne signals, respectively. Consequently, this novel method, which combines optical heterodyne interferometry with a polarization modulation technique, not only improves the detection sensitivity, but also provides a real time capability to measure LBP. In addition, the error in the LBP measurement is derived and analyzed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)420-426
Number of pages7
JournalOptics Communications
Volume260
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 04 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Linear birefringence
  • Optical heterodyne
  • Polarization
  • Wave plate

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