Abstract: Accurate measurement of polarization properties of materials in transmission is becoming increasingly important as polarization devices and effects are utilized in remote sensing, displays, and other applications. Polarization components in these systems require careful calibration and specification as a function of wavelength. This paper describes a Fourier transform spectropolarimeter, an instrument designed for measurement of polarization properties in transmission. Complete Mueller matrix spectra are acquired using a dual rotating retarder polarimeter placed in the sample compartment of a Fourier transform spectrometer. Several sets of detectors and sources for the spectrometer provide spectral Mueller matrix data from the ultraviolet to the infrared. We have extended data reduction algorithms and calibration techniques developed for an FTIR instrument to the new spectral regimes, including routines to analyze the Mueller matrix data in terms of diattenuation and retardance. This paper describes the instrument, the data reduction and analysis algorithms, and examples of data from several transmissive samples. !12
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