Abstract
The polarimetrie heterodyne interferometer (PHI) is an interesting tool for real-time detection of a rapidly changing state of polarization (SOP) of a coherent optical radiation.1 This versatile instrument, which has been demonstrated for fiber characterization, provides amplitude ratio and relative phase of the two optical field components Ex, Ey. A more complete SOP determination (applicable also to partially polarized light) requires the use of Stokes parameters.2 In the present work, this purpose has been achieved by modifying the output electrical scheme of the PHI: the two detected heterodyne signals, proportional to Ex Ey, are split and mixed together with and without 90° electrical delay to provide s2, s3 Stokes parameters (s1 could be derived also from the two rf outputs, while s0 requires an independent radiometric measurement). s2, s3 outputs have been tested using a Pockels cell at low frequency and properly oriented to obtain only an SOP phase modulation (with nearly 180° depth). The s2, s3 output curve, visualized through an x-y oscilloscope, turned out to be a circular arc as expected.
© 1988 Optical Society of America
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