Research on the all-Stokes vector measurement and correction method via elastic-optic difference frequency modulation

Bai Qin; Zhang Rui; Xue Peng; Wang Zhibin; Kong Quanhuizi

doi:10.12086/oee.2025.240284

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Bai Q, Zhang R, Xue P, et al. Research on the all-Stokes vector measurement and correction method via elastic-optic difference frequency modulation[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(5): 240284. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.240284

Citation:

Bai Q, Zhang R, Xue P, et al. Research on the all-Stokes vector measurement and correction method via elastic-optic difference frequency modulation[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2025, 52(5): 240284. doi: 10.12086/oee.2025.240284

Research on the all-Stokes vector measurement and correction method via elastic-optic difference frequency modulation

1.
Technology Innovation Center of Shanxi Provincial for Intelligent Microwave Photoelectric, North University of China, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030051, China
2.
School of Information and Communication Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030051, China

Fund Project: National Natural Science Foundation of China (62105302)

More Information

^*Corresponding author: zhangrui@nuc.edu.cn
CSTR: 32245.14.oee.2025.240284

Received Date 03 December 2024

Revised Date 31 March 2025

Accepted Date 31 March 2025

Published Date 30 May 2025

Abstract

Abstract

To achieve high-precision measurement of the all-Stokes vector, a mutual differential frequency modulation approach for dual photo-elastic modulators (photoelectric modulator, PEM) in all-Stokes vector measurement was proposed. The incident light was differently frequency modulated by two PEMs of different frequencies. The measured polarization vector and the phase delay amplitude of the PEM were simultaneously modulated at different differential frequency components. The phase delay amplitude of the PEM was obtained in real time by dividing the odd differential frequency components, and the Stokes vector of the measured light was accurately obtained by combining different differential frequency components. This method reduced the error introduced by the fluctuation of the phase delay amplitude in the PEM measurement system. Theoretical and experimental analyses were conducted, and the results showed that the variance of the measured Stokes vector was 10⁻⁵. This method will provide support for high-precision polarization measurement.
- elastic differential frequency modulation /
- Stokes vectors /
- phase delay amplitude correction

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References

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Overview

Overview

The comprehensive measurement of all-Stokes vector is of paramount importance across various scientific disciplines such as optics, light scattering theory, atmospheric science, and quantum mechanics, where understanding and applying light-matter interactions is crucial. Traditional methods often employ linear polarizers and quarter-wave plates to analyze polarized light, requiring mechanical rotation of the polarizer and measurement of light intensity at different angles to calculate the Stokes vector. Although these methods are simple and cost-effective, they may be limited in terms of measurement precision and speed. Another approach utilizes the snapshot Stokes measurement technique with a Dammer grating, which divides the incident beam into four beams, modulates them with wave plates and a linear polarizer, and captures the results with a CCD, enabling rapid measurement of the beam's Stokes vector. However, the design of Dammer gratings is often tailored to specific beam polarization states, and their adaptability to varying states is somewhat limited. Photoelectric modulation (PEM) technology offers a novel solution by modulating light with PEMs at frequency superpositions, generating high-frequency components carrying the measured polarization state information, and acquiring all four Stokes parameters simultaneously using lock-in amplification techniques. We proposed a new method for high-precision all-Stokes vector measurement based on dual PEMs. This technique leveraged two PEMs with different modulation frequencies to heterodyne modulate the incident light. We simultaneously modulated the measured polarization parameters with the phase delay amplitudes of the two PEMs in distinct beat frequency components. Through phase-locking and dividing the odd-order beat frequency components, the phase delay amplitudes of the two PEMs were obtained in real-time. By combining different beat frequency components with the DC component, the four parameters of the measured light's Stokes vector were precisely acquired and normalized. This method simplifies the complexity of mechanical rotation in traditional measurement methods and reduces measurement errors introduced by phase delay amplitude fluctuations in dual-PEM systems. Theoretically, the Mueller matrix is used to describe the polarization changes of light propagating through the system, and based on this, the expression for the outgoing light's Stokes vector can be calculated. Experimental measurements using known polarization states of light validate the theoretical analysis, with results showing that the variance of the measured Stokes vector is on the order of 10⁻⁵, indicating that this technique can provide technical support for high-precision polarization measurements. The high-precision measurement capabilities are of significant practical importance for applications requiring accurate polarization information, such as remote sensing, optical imaging, and physical research, enabling precise control and measurement of the polarization state of light and advancing related scientific fields.