Characteristic parameters of an optically equivalent model based on measured Stokes parameters

This study presents an approach to determine the characteristic parameters of an optically equivalent model consisting of a linear retarder and a rotator. These parameters-retardance, orientation of the linear retarder, and rotation-are determined by using linearly polarized incident light and measuring the first three Stokes parameters of the outgoing light. With the help of Mueller calculus, the retardation can be determined up to it rad. The position of the refractive index axes can be specified; however, it is not possible to differentiate between fast and slow axis. The rotation can be determined over the full measurement range of it rad. To measure retardations larger than it rad, an adapted RGB method is presented that directly uses the retardations resulting from the Mueller calculus instead of light intensity measurements. Synthetic examples demonstrate the application of the methods presented.