Optimized Stokes imaging for highly resolved optical speckle fields, Part II: optimal acquisition and estimation strategies

Abstract

In this second paper of a three-paper series focusing on Stokes polarimetry of optical speckle fields resolved at the individual speckle grain scale, a theoretical study based on numerical simulations is presented in order to establish the optimum sensing, estimation, and processing strategies that guarantee the best precision, accuracy, and robustness for Stokes polarimetry in this specific context. In particular, it is demonstrated that the so-called state of polarization analysis by full projection on the Poincaré space (SOPAFP) approach can be optimized in order to ensure best estimation performance. These numerical simulations also make it possible to establish that the SOPAFP approach provides better results in terms of robustness to residual experimental imperfections of the setup when compared to classical Stokes polarimetry approaches.