Polarization acquisition using a commercial Fourier transform spectrometer in the MWIR

A spectropolarimeter utilizing an Oriel MIR8000 Fourier Transform Spectrometer in the MWIR is demonstrated. The use of the channeled spectral technique, originally developed by K. Oka, is created with the use of two AR coated Yttrium Vanadate (YVO4) crystal retarders with a 2:1 thickness ratio. A basic mathematical model for the system is presented, showing that the Stokes parameters are directly present in the interferogram. Theoretical results are then compared with real data from the system, an improved model is provided to simulate the effects of absorption within the crystal, and error between reconstructions with phase-corrected and raw interferograms is analyzed.