The changes in the state of polarization can be expressed by the so-called ellipsometric angles Delta and Psi.
There are various ways for an automatization of an ellipsometer. A good review is presented in the following book chapter.
H. Motschmann, R. Teppner Ellipsometry in Interface Science, in Novel methods to Study Interfacial Layers, edited by R. Miller, D. Moebius, Elsevier (2001)
A particular successful implementation is Nullellipsometry which eliminates many intrinsic errors due to slight misalignments of the sample or imperfections of the sample. Nullellipsometry means select a setting of the optical components that cancel the light at the detector. The corresponding Nullsetting of the optical components provides the ellipsometric angles Delta and Psi. |