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The Stokes formulation for representing polarized light is discussed along with the classical measurement method for determining the Stokes polarization parameters. The limitations of this method are noted, and we consider the rotating quarter-waveplate method, which avoids the limitations of the classical method and allows a curve fitting algorithm to be used to determine the Stokes parameters. The quarter-waveplate method is attractive because of its accuracy and simplicity and can be implemented in an undergraduate or graduate optics course with a minimum amount of equipment.

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Articles you may be interested inThe measurement of the Stokes parameters: A generalized methodology using a dual photoelastic modulator system

The hybrid polarization sphere was developed in a companion paper [Appl. Opt.47, 4009 (2008)APOPAI0003-6935]. We apply the sphere to polarizing devices such as circular polarizers, the Babinet-Soleil compensator, the Lefevre polarization controller, and the Sénarmont compensator.