Measuring the principal axis angle and phase retardance of an adhesive tape via Mueller-Stokes formulation

Abstract

Adhesive tape is one of the most common material used to explain polarization of light yet its properties are often outlooked. Here, we measure the principal axis angle α and phase retardance β of an adhesive tape through the Mueller-Stokes formulation. A simple experimental setup was used consisting of two polarizers sandwiching the sample. Using a linearly polarized incident beam, the output intensity over the range of -90 to 90 degree analyzer orientation was detected to obtain the α and β values of quarter wave plate, adhesive tape, and acetate samples. We found that the tape is almost nonpolarizing at lengthwise orientation (α = 0.42°, β = 0.71°) but noticeable change is seen when it is rotated by 45° (α = 45.5°, β = 144.7°). The results of this study allow us to quantitatively describe the influence of various materials, especially the adhesive tape, in changing the polarization state of light.