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Free keywords:
Instruments & Instrumentation; Optics; polarimetry; phase shifting interferometry; retardation measurement;
Abstract:
This publication presents a novel interferometric method for the simultaneous measurement of the phase and state of polarization of a light wave with arbitrary, in particular locally varying elliptical polarization. The measurement strategy is based on variations of the reference wave concerning phase and polarization and processing the interference patterns so obtained. With this method, that is very similar to the classical phase shifting interferometry, a complete analysis of spatially variant states of polarization and their phase fronts can be done in one measurement cycle. Furthermore, a direct analysis of specimens under test regarding birefringence and the impact on the phase of the incoming light can be realized. The theoretical description of the investigated methods and their experimental implementation are presented.
