title: Optimization and performance criteria of a Stokes polarimeter based on two variable retarders.
abstract: In this paper we present the analysis, optimization and implementation of several Stokes polarimeter configurations based on a set-up including two variable retarders. The polarimeter analysis is based on the Mueller-Stokes formalism, and as a consequence, it is suitable to deal with depolarized light. Complete Stokes polarimeters are optimized by minimizing the amplification of simulated errors into the final solution. Different indicators useful to achieve this aim, as the condition number or the equally weighted variance, are compared in this paper. Moreover, some of the optimized polarimeters are experimentally implemented and it is studied the influence of small deviations from the theoretical ones on the amplification of the Stokes component error. In addition, the benefit of using incomplete polarimeters, when detecting specific ranges of states of polarization, is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, SPAIN.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peinado
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lizana
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iemmi
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campos
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055096:Optical Devices; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity