How to measure the Mueller matrix of liquid-crystal cells

• The Mueller matrix is the transfer matrix in the Stokes algebra that describes the polarization of natural light. This matrix is very versatile for the task of characterizing the optical properties of liquid-crystal cells, since it can be used for comparison with theoretical calculations, the determination of material parameters and the modelling of the cell as an optical building block for technological use. We have constructed a Mueller-matrix spectrometer, with the ability to perform fast, dynamic measurements of the Mueller matrix of small areas of liquid-crystal cells throughout the visible range. To illustrate the potential of the instrument, dynamic measurements on a ferroelectric-liquid-crystal cell are presented and analysed. The optical measurements indicate that there is an asymmetry between the up and the down state, tilted smectic layers and polarization reversal initiated at the boundaries.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Annan materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Other Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Telekommunikation (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Telecommunications (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Annan data- och informationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Other Computer and Information Science (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Datorseende och robotik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Computer Vision and Robotics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Mueller matrix

liquid crystal

ferroelectric

Stokes vector

polarization

spectrometer

spectrograph

xenon lamp

photodiode array

visible range

retardation plates

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)