A Sensitive System for Measuring Atmospheric Depolarization of Light

Abstract

An improved instrument for measuring depolarization of linearity polarized light has been assembled and operated. It is a hundred times more sensitive than previous devices used for similar measurements, and it can detect depolarized light amounting to less than 10(-8) of the total transmitted light. This sensitivity is achieved by means of a high quality Wollaston prism and a differential detection scheme. Preliminary measurements over a 600-m path indicate that atmospheric depolarization is less than the detection limit of 10(-8).