Achromatic snapshot imaging polarimeter using modified Savart polariscopes and hybrid (refractive–diffractive) lenses

This paper presents the layout of achromatic snapshot imaging polarimeter (SIP) using modified Savart plates (MSPs) and working under nature light. The hybrid (refractive–diffractive) lenses are used to achieve the achromatic point-spread function (PSF), and the design probe the four Stokes vectors of the object by using polarization analyzing optics comprising two MSPs, a half wave plate, and an analyzer. In comparison with the monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic SIP using MSPs reported previously, the most remarkable property of the proposed layouts is to have the capability of directly detecting the object with natural illumination. Also, the configuration is more easily manipulated and robust than achromatic conventional Savart polariscopes reported previously in probing the object with axial movement. The feasibility is verified by numerical simulation for natural light.