Open the manuscript using the link above. DOC files open in Word or a compatible document reader.
Abstract
Abstract
The Open Polarimeter (“Opol”) is a phase‐based, high‐resolution laser polarimeter formed from a small number of inexpensive optomechanical parts. The complete instrument can be assembled from scratch in less than two days for less than US$250, using only a 3D‐printer and a benchtop milling machine. However, despite its low cost, Opol achieves a high accuracy of a few millidegrees, comparable to far costlier commercial instruments. It is released here as open hardware, with technical diagrams, a full parts list, and source‐code for its firmware included as Supporting Information. Beyond polarimetry, Opol's easy‐to‐build and versatile optical mounting system is likely to prove useful for a wide variety of optical systems.
