Identification of error parameters and calibration of a double-crystal birefringent wave plate with a broadband spectral light source

Abstract

A simple apparatus dedicated to the calibration of a low-order double-crystal birefringent wave plate is presented. These wave plates are widely used in optical instrumentation and the residual errors associated with these devices can be very important in high-resolution polarimetry. Misalignment between the crystals is considered and simulated. An analytical treatment of such unperfected device is given and is followed by numerical examples. The fit between the experimental values obtained using this apparatus and the theoretical ones proves the interest of the method and enabled us to assess the wave plate optical characteristics.