Abstract

We investigate the polarization modulation properties of a variable-delay polarization modulator (VPM). The VPM modulates polarization via a variable separation between a polarizing grid and a parallel mirror. We find that in the limit where the wavelength is much larger than the diameter of the metal wires that comprise the grid, the phase delay derived from the geometric separation between the mirror and the grid is sufficient to characterize the device. However, outside of this range, additional parameters describing the polarizing grid geometry must be included to fully characterize the modulator response. In this paper, we report test results of a VPM at wavelengths of 350 μm and 3 mm. Electromagnetic simulations of wire grid polarizers were performed and are summarized using a simple circuit model that incorporates the loss and polarization properties of the device.

The Hertz/VPM polarimeter: design and first light observations

Megan Krejny, David Chuss, Christian Drouet d'Aubigny, Dathon Golish, Martin Houde, Howard Hui, Craig Kulesa, Robert F. Loewenstein, S. Harvey Moseley, Giles Novak, George Voellmer, Chris Walker, and Ed Wollack
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A translational polarization rotator

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Interferometric polarization control

David T. Chuss, Edward J. Wollack, S. Harvey Moseley, and Giles Novak
Appl. Opt. 45(21) 5107-5117 (2006)

Preflight calibration of the Imaging Magnetograph eXperiment polarization modulation package based on liquid-crystal variable retarders

Néstor Uribe-Patarroyo, Alberto Alvarez-Herrero, and Valentín Martínez Pillet
Appl. Opt. 51(21) 4954-4970 (2012)

Coherence and polarization properties of a radially polarized beam with variable spatial coherence

Gaofeng Wu, Fei Wang, and Yangjian Cai
Opt. Express 20(27) 28301-28318 (2012)