Real-time Stokes polarimetry using a polarization camera.

Abstract

This Lab Note introduces the "Stokes Camera," a simple experimental arrangement for real-time measurement of spatial amplitude and polarization and thus spatially resolved Stokes parameters. It uses a polarization sensitive camera and a fixed quarter-wave plate, providing a one-shot, digital solution for polarization measurement that is only limited by the frame rate of the camera and the computation speed of the provided code. The note also provides background information on relevant polarization theory and vector vortex beams, which are used as a demonstration of the device.