Error analysis of single-snapshot full-Stokes division-of-aperture imaging polarimeters

Single-snapshot full-Stokes imaging polarimetry is a powerful tool for the acquisition of the spatial polarization information in real time. According to the general linear model of a polarimeter, to recover full Stokes parameters at least four polarimetric intensities should be measured. In this paper, four types of single-snapshot full-Stokes division-of-aperture imaging polarimeter with four subapertures are presented and compared, with maximum spatial resolution for each polarimetric image on a single area-array detector. By using the error propagation theories for different incident states of polarization, the performance of four polarimeters are evaluated for several main sources of error, including retardance error, alignment error of retarders, and noise perturbation. The results show that the configuration of four 132 degrees retarders with angular positions of (+/- 51.7 degrees, +/- 15.1 degrees) is an optimal choice for the configuration of four subaperture single-snapshot full-Stokes imaging polarimeter. The tolerance and uncertainty of this configuration are analyzed. (C)2015 Optical Society of America