Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for producing interferograms from which the four Stokes parameters defining both intensity and the state of polarization of incident radiation, and special variations thereof, can be concurrently determined, said apparatus comprising: a two-beam interferometer including: splitter means for dividing incident radiation into two beams, retarder means for controllably producing phase differences between said two beams, and recombiner means for combining said two beams into a single recombined beam of radiation; first and second polarizers, each positioned in a respective one of said two beams and interposed between said splitter means and said retarder means, said first and second polarizers being adapted to have the polarization angles thereof selectively modified; and a third polarizer positioned in said recombined beam of radiation, said first, second and third polarizers being successively positioned to form preselected combinations of polarization angles, an interferogram being obtained for each successive combination to permit concurrent determination of said Stokes parameters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for producing interferograms from which the four Stokes parameters defining both intensity and the state of polarization of incident radiation, and special variations thereof, can be concurrently determined, said apparatus comprising: a two-beam interferometer including: splitter means for dividing incident radiation into two beams, retarder means for controllably producing phase differences between said two beams, and recombiner means for combining said two beams into a single recombined beam of radiation; first and second polarizers, each positioned in a respective one of said two beams and interposed between said splitter means and said retarder means, said first and second polarizers being adapted to have the polarization angles thereof selectively modified; and a third polarizer positioned in said recombined beam of radiation, said first, second and third polarizers being successively positioned to form preselected combinations of polarization angles, an interferogram being obtained for each successive combination to permit concurrent determination of said Stokes parameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said first, second and third polarizers are linear polarizers, said polarizers being adapted to be adjusted to polarize at any angle light projected therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said first and second polarizers are circular polarizers and said third polarizer Is a linear polarizer, said first and second polarizer together forming selected combinations of right and left circular polarizers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said interferometer is a Michelson interferometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said retarder means comprises first and second mirrors positioned in a respective one of said two beams for reflecting incident radiation, one of said first and second mirrors being stationary and the other of said mirrors being adapted to be moved controllably along the path of incident radiation, the relative phase of said two beams being thereby controlled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said first, second and third polarizers are linear polarizers, said polarizers being adapted to be adjusted to polarize at any angle light projected therethrough, said interferometer being a Michelson interferometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus defined by Claim 5 wherein said first and second polarizers are circular polarizers and said third polarizer is a linear polarizer, said first and second polarizers being changeable to together form selected combinations of right and left circular polarizers, said interferometer being a Michelson interferometer.