Optimizing a dual-rotating-retarder Mueller matrix polarimeter

An optimization of a dual-rotating-retarder Mueller matrix polarimeter is performed by minimizing the condition number of the system data reduction matrix. The optimum retardance for the rotating retarders is found to be 127degrees. If exactly 16 intensity measurements are used for the calculation, we observe a complex relationship between the condition number and the size of the angular increments of the two retarders. If many intensity measurements are made, thus over-specifying the calculation, we find broad optimal ranges of angular increments of the two retarders that yield essentially equal performance.