Stokes Parameter Detection And Precision Analysis Based On Rotating Quarter-wave Retarder

The accuracy of the calibration reference source polarization states directly influences the precision of the polarized optical remote sensor calibration, and then affects the information quantitative inversion of the detection target. In order to accurately detect polarization of calibration reference light, the 870nm horizontal linear polarized light, vertical linear polarized beam, left circular polarized beam and 540nm horizontal linear polarized light, vertical linear polarized beam and 45 degree linear polarized input beam has been chosen as the tested calibration reference light, modulated by rotating quarter-wave retarder and expressed as its Fourier series. The coefficient of series expressed as the integral of intensity with the rotation angle of the quarter wave plate.In order to carry out calculation using discrete measurements, integral are expressed as summation form by Simpson method. its Stokes parameters and degree of polarization has been calculated by the value of integral.The set-up of the polarization generator and detection of rotating quarter-wave plate polarimeter and its calibration method have been given. Titanium-doped-sapphire laser and supercontinuum white sources produce incident light source, Light source has detected by polarimeter. The mean of the ten measurement values and the corresponding standard deviation and uncertainty are presented.870nm horizontal linear polarized light, vertical linear polarized beam, left circular polarized beam, the biggest difference between measured value and theoretical value of Stokes parameters are 3.76%,3.32%, 2.51%,540nm horizontal linear polarized light, vertical linear polarized beam and 45 degree linear polarized input beam, the biggest difference between measured value and theoretical value of Stokes parameters are 4.49%,4.44%,4.02%. In order to improve the accuracy of the measurement, the correction model for the quarter-wave plate retardance deviation Δδ, fast axis angle deviation Aa and the transmission axis alignment deviation Δβ of analyzing polarizer has been constructed. In this model, Stokes parameters detection deviation is described as a function of Δδ and Δβ, Δδ and Δβ can be determined through the function and the magnitude of the deviation. Combined with quarter-wave plate fast axis angle deviation which was the result of simulation to adjust the experiment device, and then detecting the calibration reference source polarization states again. After correction, the difference between measured value and theoretical value of Stokes parameters reduced to less than 1.41% from 3.76% relative to without correction. The experiment principle, device and deviation correction model of this paper is proved can be used to detect the polarization states of the calibration reference light source.