Optiscope - Variable platform for optical polarimetric measurements

Variable platform for optical polarimetric measurements, especially for:

• probing of waveguide modes,
• probing surface plasmons by varying polarization state and angle of incidence,
• transmission and reflectance polarimetric measurements

The main emphasis was on the modularity of the setup, high accuracy in angle of incidence adjustment (two independent goniometers) and the possibility of future upgrade to spectroscopic measurements (broadband optics).

Emphasis was also placed on full control over polarization and automation of measurements.

The setup will be used for research as well as for demonstration of optical phenomena during practical teaching.

Stable HeNe laser as illumination source, achromatic polarization optics in motorized rotators from PI for polarimetric and ellipsometric measurements with the possibility of future extension to spectroscopic measurements, precision goniometers with high load capacity from PI, six-axis manual table for sample handling, 4-Quad photodiode for easy alignment, automatic shutter and fast sensor data readout.

The resulting setup is expandable with additional functionality such as a camera for sample preview, sample focusing, extensions for spectroscopic measurements, or motorized feeds for sample mapping.

Device parameters

• Wavelength: 632.8 nm
• Angular resolution: < 0.001°
• Angle of incidence range: 30° - 90° (in asymmetric mode, each arm can be adjusted from 0° to 90°)
• Extinction ratio of polarizer and analyzer: ≥ 100 000 : 1