Design and development of the PolZero Time Domain Polarization Scrambler

Rainer M. E. Illing

doi:10.1117/12.826217

11 August 2009 Design and development of the PolZero Time Domain Polarization Scrambler

Rainer M. E. Illing

Proceedings Volume 7461, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing IV; 746104 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826217
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Low polarization sensitivity is critical for a number of Earth science applications, including the measurement of ocean color and ozone from satellite sensors. Polarization control places serious constraints on the optical design of these sensors, particularly for the wide field of view imaging spectrometers contemplated for future Decadal Survey applications. The PolZero Time Domain Polarization Scrambler (TDPS) is an optical component that provides significant polarization sensitivity reduction for spectrometric instruments without producing beam replication, image distortion or requiring a specialized optical path. The PolZero is implemented using a pair of photo-elastic modulators to induce a particular high frequency polarization structure onto the transmitted beam. Averaging this modulated beam over many temporal polarization cycles, that is, over a few milliseconds, produces results approximating transmission through an ideal depolarizer. Measurements have shown reduction in the transmitted degree of polarization by factors of over 30. Mueller matrices of the TDPS, measured using a Mueller matrix imaging polarimeter, are presented as a function of wavelength in the region 450-700 nm.

Citation Download Citation

Rainer M. E. Illing "Design and development of the PolZero Time Domain Polarization Scrambler", Proc. SPIE 7461, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing IV, 746104 (11 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826217

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