Mueller matrix imaging with a spatially modulated polarization light source

Abstract

In this paper, we present a Mueller matrix imaging system consisting of a spatially modulated polarization light source (SMPL) and a dual division-of-focal-plane (DoFP) polarimeters as the PSA and 2D detector. The system does not contain moving parts such as a rotating stage, which leads to more robust and reliable operations for applications in hostile settings. By taking Muller matrix images at variable distances between the SMPL and the target, we examine in details errors due to different spatial distributions in angle and intensity of different polarized lights. A calibration method is proposed to reduce such errors introduced by SMPL. The performances of the new imaging technique and the calibration method are tested in Mueller matrix imaging of different samples.