Imaging Stokes polarimeter based on a single liquid crystal variable retarder

A description of a compact imaging Stokes polarimeter constructed and tested in our laboratory is presented. Our polarimeter is based on a simple construction using only one retarder and one linear polarizer. Three fast intensity distribution measurements realized in three different configurations of linear and elliptical analyzers allow for calculating the basic polarization parameter distribution of the examined light. Using a liquid crystal variable retarder makes this construction compact and mechanically simple.