Compact static Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter based on channeled polarimetry

The theoretical operation and experimental demonstration of a Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter for real time measurement of the polarization state of light are presented. The spectropolarimeter uses a Wollaston prism as a birefringent interferometer and two high-order retarders to incorporate channeled polarimetry. Compared with previous instruments, the most significant advantage of the described model is that the complete wavelength-dependent polarization is acquired simultaneously along a one-dimensional spatial image by a single snapshot. Also, we show that, in this configuration, we can benefit from the advantages of the model: it is compact and robust, and the birefringent interferometer has a high throughput.