The Dual PEM Stokes Polarimeter is not a typical polarimeter. There are many distinguishable features that make this system the most sensitive and the highest quality research grade polarization instrument on the market today. Hinds Polarimeter takes advantage of the unsurpassed stability and modulation purity of the photoelastic modulator (PEM). This resonance based modulation accounts for much of the superior performance of the Polarimeter.
No Moving Parts
Because the photoelastic modulator is resonance based, there is no need for moving parts in the Polarimeter system. The modulator changes the polarization state of light at a fixed frequency, thereby eliminating the need for rotating components that have traditionally been employed for the same purpose.
This feature ensures that polarization measurements are incredibly precise and free of mechanical jitter that can be associated with mechanical vibration. It also guarantees a more precise polarization measurement as there is no beam drift. Each measurement is made in the same position.
High Speed
The dual PEM Stokes Polarimeter operates at much higher frequencies than most commercial systems. Most photoelastic modulators operate around 50 kHz allowing for remarkable speed in Stokes vector determination. Most Hinds Polarimeters are capable of determining more than 100 complete Stokes vectors per second.
Wide Wavelength Range
The photoelastic modulator has been designed to work across a wide wavelength range. The electronics in the PEM system have been designed to automatically change the control voltage depending on the wavelength that the modulator is operating at, thereby eliminating the need to calibrate the system for specific wavelengths. Your Polarimeter comes configured to work at any wavelength across a large spectral range. It can also be configured to measure spectroscopically. Please contact Hinds to discuss this option.
Complete Stokes Vector Measurement
Two modulators operating at different frequencies are employed in this Polarimeter. This gives the system the distinct advantage of being able to measure all four parameters of the Stokes vector with a single measurement. This feature, again, enhances the accuracy of the polarization measurement because there is no time delay between measuring different parameters. Also, the four parameters are all quantified and measured, avoiding the calculation flaws that can be found in competing systems.
World Class Sensitivity
The stable, pure modulation of the PEM allows Hinds Polarimeters to achieve unprecedented levels of sensitivity. This instrument is capable of achieving a sensitivity of 0.0005 of a Stokes vector, not only making this the most sensitive commercially available polarimeter, but also the new standard bearer for research grade polarization measurements.
Contact Hinds Instruments today to discuss your polarization application.