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Abstract

The invention provides methods and apparatus for encoding information pertaining to the polarimetric state of transversely propagated radiation--for example, electromagnetic waves--as a modulation of the radiation's frequency power spectrum. In a preferred embodiment, suitable for examining light, the radiation passes consecutively through two birefringent media, each having mutually perpendicular fast and slow axes both perpendicular to the propagation axis. The fast axis of the first medium is rotated with respect the fast axis of the second medium to form an acute angle therebetween. The output of the second birefringent medium comprises a complementary pair of interference fringe systems. The power spectrum of each interference system is modulated in a manner characteristic of the polarization state of the radiation. One of the systems is selected by a linear polarizer. The invention is suitable for use in conjunction with a conventional imaging spectrograph and detector.

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First Claim