Improved measurement of polarization state in terahertz polarization spectroscopy

Abstract: A calibration scheme is presented for improved polarization state measurement of terahertz pulses. In this scheme the polarization response of a two-contact terahertz photoconductive detector is accurately measured, and is used to correct for the impact of the non-idealities of the detector. Experimental results show excellent sub-degree angular accuracy and at least 60% error reduction with this scheme.