Snapshot Multi-Wavelength Birefringence Imaging

A snapshot multi-wavelength birefringence imaging measurement method was proposed in this study. The RGB-LEDs at wavelengths 463 nm, 533 nm, and 629 nm were illuminated with circularly polarized light after passing through a circular polarizer. The transmitted light through the birefringent sample was captured by a color polarization camera. A single imaging process captured light intensity in four polarization directions (0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) for each of the three RGB spectral wavelength channels, and subsequently measured the first three elements of Stokes vectors (<i>S</i>₀, <i>S</i>₁, and <i>S</i>₂) after the sample. The birefringence retardance and fast-axis azimuthal angle were determined simultaneously. An experimental setup was constructed, and polarization response matrices were calibrated for each spectral wavelength channel to ensure the accurate detection of Stokes vectors. A polymer true zero-order quarter-wave plate was employed to validate measurement accuracy and repeatability. Additionally, stress-induced birefringence in a PMMA arch-shaped workpiece was measured both before and after the application of force. Experimental results revealed that the repeatability of birefringence retardance and fast-axis azimuthal angle was better than 0.67 nm and 0.08°, respectively. This approach enables multispectral wavelength, high-speed, high-precision, and high-repeatability birefringence imaging measurements through a single imaging session.