System and method for polarization measurement

摘要

Measuring polarization profile along an input optical beam cross-section using an optical system includes a polarization beam splitting assembly for splitting the input beam into a predetermined number of beam components with a predetermined polarization relation between them, and including a polarization beam splitter in an optical path of the input beam splitting it into beam components having a polarization relationship and a birefringent element in an optical path of the beam components for splitting each of them into a pair of beams having ordinary and extraordinary polarizations, thereby producing the predetermined number of output beam components. The pixel matrix is located in substantially non-intersecting optical paths of the output beam components and generates a number of output data pieces indicative of intensity distribution within the output beam components and data contained therein being indicative of the polarization profile along the input beam cross-section.

主权项

1. A system for use in measuring polarization of an optical beam, wherein
the system is configured and operable for determining polarization profile along a cross section of the input optical beam, and comprises an optical system which comprises: a polarization beam splitting assembly configured and operable for splitting said input optical beam into a predetermined number of beam components with a predetermined polarization relation between them, the polarization beam splitting assembly comprising a first polarization beam splitter in an optical path of the input optical beam splitting said input optical beam into a first plurality of beam components with a certain polarization relation between them and a birefringent element in an optical path of said first plurality of the beam components for splitting each of them into a pair of beams having ordinary and extraordinary polarizations, thereby producing said predetermined number of output beam components; and a pixel matrix for detecting intensity distribution within a beam incident thereon, said pixel matrix being located in substantially non intersecting optical paths of said output beam components and generating a corresponding number of output data pieces indicative of intensity distribution within said output beam components, respectively, data contained in said data pieces being indicative of the polarization profile along the cross section of the input optical beam.