Accurate and robust calibration method for simultaneous Stokes polarimetry

Abstract

The simultaneous Stokes polarimetry (SSP) plays a crucial role in various fields, including the characterization of suspended particles in air and water, as well as the measurement of the Mueller matrix of samples. System calibration is a critical step for improving the accuracy of the Stokes polarimetry. However, there is a lack of commercially available SSP, and the corresponding calibration method is not yet fully developed. In this paper, an accurate and robust calibration method for SSP based on division-of-amplitude is proposed, which includes intensity monitoring and geometric optimization. The optimal calibration method significantly can reduce measurement time while maintaining high calibration accuracy and robustness. The maximum root-mean-square error of the measured Stokes vector can be minimized to less than 0.0061, which represents approximately a tenfold improvement in accuracy compared to the traditional calibration method using a rotating quarter-wave plate. Additionally, the measurement errors of Stokes vectors are minimized globally to ensure robust measurement. Based on this foundation, the calibrated SSP is capable of tracking the changes in random Stokes vectors with fast speed. These results demonstrate the importance of selecting appropriate calibration polarization states and the significance of incorporating light intensity monitoring to enhance the accuracy and robustness of polarization calibration.