Snapshot complete imaging polarimeter using Savart plates

An interferometric method for measuring the two-dimensional distribution of the state of polarization (SOP) of light is presented. A pair of Savart plates, a half-wave plate, and an analyzer are inserted between the lenses of a double-diffraction imaging system, so that multiple interference fringes are generated over the video camera. The Fourier analysis of the image obtained from the video camera allows us to determine the two-dimensional distributions of the four Stokes parameters over the object plane. No mechanical or active components for polarization control are required and two dimensional distributions of any parameters related to SOP can be determined from the single image. Principle of this method is experimentally demonstrated by measuring the SOP distribution of the light transmitted by a liquid crystal cell.