A sensitive system for measuring atmospheric depolarization of light.
An improved instrument for measuring depolarization of linearity polarized light has been assembled and operated. It is a hundred times more sensitive than previous devices used for similar measurements, and it can detect depolarized light amounting to less than 10(-8) of the total transmitted light. This sensitivity is achieved by means of a high quality Wollaston prism and a differential detection scheme. Preliminary measurements over a 600-m path indicate that atmospheric depolarization is less than the detection limit of 10(-8).
Brddford
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Tucker
J W
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