Enhanced polarization sensing with liquid crystals

Polarization of light is a key feature that plays important role in many light matter interactions. It is thus important to detect and analyze it. Traditional polarimetric techniques use linear or circular polarizers which reduce dramatically the transmitted light intensity. In addition, in some imaging cases, these polarizers are patterned resulting into a significant decrease of the spatial resolution of the polarization state of the detected image. We present an alternative method of characterizing the polarization state of light by using guest-host nematic liquid crystals. The method provides high spatial resolution and high light transmission. Examples of its application in polarimetric imaging will be presented.