Heterodyne polariscope for sequential measurements of the complete optical parameters of a multiple-order wave plate

Applied Optics
Yu-Tsan Jeng, Yu-Lung Lo

Abstract

A new heterodyne polariscope for sequential measurements of the complete optical parameters of linearly birefringent materials is proposed. A multiple-order crystalline quartz quarter-wave plate used as a sample was tested in two sequential setups. In the first setup we used an electro-optic modulator to modulate the circular heterodyne polariscope and then applied a phase-locking technique to measure the principal axis angle precisely. In the second setup, removing the first quarter-wave plate, resulted in a linear heterodyne polariscope, and again we used the phase-locking technique to extract the apparent retardance. Furthermore, by tilting the sample and placing a material of known thickness into the second setup, we determined the order, thickness, and refractive indices (ne and no) of a multiple-order wave plate by using the new algorithm. The proposed method has average absolute errors of 0.2167 degrees and 0.15% with respect to the principal axis angle and the apparent retardance, respectively. The order, thickness, and refractive indices are also in good agreement with the known sample data. In contrast to the conventional measurement schemes that could not measure more than two parameters, the proposed heterodyne pola...Continue Reading

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.