Channeled spectropolarimetry using a coherent white-light continuum

We carry out polarization measurements using a coherent white-light continuum as a light source for channeled spectropolarimetry. The white-light continuum, whose spectrum ranges from the UV to the IR region, is generated in Kr gas by a terawatt femtosecond laser system. The complete set of Stokes parameters from 450-700 nm are reconstructed from one spectral measurement. Also, the effectiveness of channeled spectropolarimetry using a coherent white-light continuum is experimentally demonstrated with a highly attenuating sample whose transmittance is as low as 10(-6).