title: Two-wave-plate compensator method for single-point retardation measurements.
abstract: The two-wave-plate compensator (TWC) technique is introduced for single-point retardation measurements. The TWC method uses a known wave plate together with a wave plate of unknown retardation and produces a linearly polarized output that allows a null of intensity to be detected. The TWC method is compared both theoretically and experimentally with the existing Brace-Köhler and Sénarmont methods. The resolution of the TWC is shown to be 0.02 nm. TWC enables the measurement of a sample retardation with as little as 0.13% error and thus is more accurate than either the Brace-Kohler or the Sénarmont method.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0250, USA.
authors.forename: Carole C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Montarou
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Gaylord