Jones vector imaging by use of digital holography: simulation and experimentation

We present a method to image Jones vector by use of digital holography. We demonstrate that with a single hologram acquisition, the method allows to image and to calculate Jones vector and derive the polarization parameters. The principle consists in using two reference waves polarized orthogonally that interfere with an object wave and to reconstruct separately the two wave fronts. Simulated and experimental data are compared to a theoretical model in order to evaluate the precision limit of the method for different polarization states of the object wave. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.