Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for polarimetry using static geometric manipulation of the state of polarization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a spectropolarimeter comprises a retarder having a geometrically changing fast axis. The fast axis changes along a polarimetric dimension. The spectropolarimeter has a polarization analyzer and a spectrographic optical platform. The spectrographic optical platform has a slit in a spatial dimension same as the polarimetric dimension of the retarder; a collimator; a dispersing element for dispersing spectral components of light received from the collimator along a spectral dimension that is perpendicular to the spatial dimension of the slit; a focusing optic; and a two-dimensional detector array. Using a quarter wave retarder full Stokes polarimetry can be provided though a half wave retarder can also be used.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an integrated miniature polarimeter and spectrograph (IMPS) and associated methods for using an IMPS to determine Stokes parameters to describe a source beam. In one embodiment an IMPs is provided comprising a spectropolarimeter module. The spectropolarimeter module comprises a miniature optical bench; a slit component; a birefringent wedge; a dichroic prism; a spectral disperser; and a focal plane array. The slit component, birefringent wedge, dichroic prism, spectral disperser, and focal plane array are mounted to the miniature optical bench such that a beam incident on the slit component will be incident on (1) the birefringent wedge, (2) the dichroic prism, (3) the spectral disperser, and (4) the focal plane array, in that order.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for polarimetry using static geometric manipulation of the state of polarization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a spectropolarimeter comprises a retarder having a geometrically changing fast axis. The fast axis changes along a polarimetric dimension. The spectropolarimeter has a polarization analyzer and a spectrographic optical platform. The spectrographic optical platform has a slit in a spatial dimension same as the polarimetric dimension of the retarder; a collimator; a dispersing element for dispersing spectral components of light received from the collimator along a spectral dimension that is perpendicular to the spatial dimension of the slit; a focusing optic; and a two-dimensional detector array. Using a quarter wave retarder full Stokes polarimetry can be provided though a half wave retarder can also be used.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an integrated miniature polarimeter and spectrograph (IMPS) and associated methods for using an IMPS to determine Stokes parameters to describe a source beam. In one embodiment an IMPs is provided comprising a spectropolarimeter module. The spectropolarimeter module comprises a miniature optical bench; a slit component; a birefringent wedge; a dichroic prism; a spectral disperser; and a focal plane array. The slit component, birefringent wedge, dichroic prism, spectral disperser, and focal plane array are mounted to the miniature optical bench such that a beam incident on the slit component will be incident on (1) the birefringent wedge, (2) the dichroic prism, (3) the spectral disperser, and (4) the focal plane array, in that order.

Abstract: A single-shot real-time spectropolarimeter for use in astronomy and other sciences that captures and encodes some or all of the Stokes polarization parameters simultaneously using only static, robust optical components with no moving parts is described. The polarization information is encoded onto the spectrograph at each wavelength along the spatial dimension of the 2D output data array. The varying embodiments of the concept include both a two-Stokes implementation (in which any two of the three Stokes polarization parameters are measured) and a full Stokes implementation (in which all three of the Stokes polarization parameters are measured), each of which is provided in either single beam or dual beam forms.

Abstract: A single-shot real-time spectropolarimeter for use in astronomy and other sciences that captures and encodes some or all of the Stokes polarization parameters simultaneously using only static, robust optical components with no moving parts is described. The polarization information is encoded onto the spectrograph at each wavelength along the spatial dimension of the 2D output data array. The varying embodiments of the concept include both a two-Stokes implementation (in which any two of the three Stokes polarization parameters are measured) and a full Stokes implementation (in which all three of the Stokes polarization parameters are measured), each of which is provided in either single beam or dual beam forms.

Abstract: An educational device for teaching or self-teaching the manual alphabet of the deaf to anyone, especially to the blind and/or deaf and for communicating among such persons is disclosed. A plurality of three-dimensional, actual size cast or molded figures of the human hand mounted on a base and each formed in a respective letter of the manual alphabet comprise an instructional kit for teaching the manual alphabet. Each hand figure is provided thereon with embossments of the Braille character and, preferably, the English alphabet letter corresponding to the manual alphabet letter represented by such figure. Another embodiment comprises statues or figures of human beings depicted in various poses communicating with each other by sign language with Braille characters and English alphabet letters affixed on the pedestal of the statues.