Acousto-optic tunable filter based spectrapolarimeter for extraction of Stokes and Mueller matrices

We report on the development of an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) based novel, high speed spectropolarimeter system operating over the visible and near-IR spectral bands to extract Stokes and Mueller matrices. Developed primarily for planetary composition and analysis applications, the wavelength tunable polarimetric system is configured with tellurium dioxide based AOTF and liquid crystal based variable retarders (LCVR) with no movable mechanical parts. Fitted with a standard silicon camera for operation up to 900 nm and a Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) camera for operation up to 2500 nm, the spectropolarimetric system is currently configured for passive operation. The operation of this spectropolarimetric system is fully automated with an interactive and user friendly graphical user interface, and accordingly provides a snapshot polarimetric measurement capability in minutes.