<title>Mueller polarimeter with sequential partition of probating polarizations: analysis and optimization</title>

Abstract

The problem of determination of main demands to which modem Mueller-polarimeter has to correspond have been widely addressed in polarimetric literature existed now. However, at our opinion there exists one more conceptual demand to which modem Mueller-polarimeter has to correspond and that of has not been addressed in polarimetric literature yet. This is the developed functional elasticity of polarimeter. This means that the modem Mueller-polarimeter must have the possibility to realize the various approaches to the Mueller matrix measurement (say, fully dynamic, four, three and two probating polarization) and some other functions, in particular, the producing of any needed state of polarization (whole Poincare sphere in general) of probating radiation. It is greatly important to note that all above functions the polarimeter have to realize only by correspondent software. In the paper the analysis and optimization of automatic Mueller-polarimeter utilizing general- purpose controlled polarization transformer based on electro-optical effect in probing channel and that of meets the requirement determined above is presented.