Ellipsometric analysis for a polarization-controlling thin film with large photoinduced chirality.

Polarization-altering properties of a unique photoinduced chiral material, which consists of a photoresponsive azobenzene (PCDY50), are investigated in detail under an ellipsometric analysis based on a circular basis. The validity of the processes is confirmed by comparing experimental results and calculations. Furthermore, various kinds of optical functions, such as an optical rotator and ellipticity modificator, are demonstrated by applying invariant ellipticity (or azimuth) state condition to the PCDY50 thin film that is less than 1 microm thick.

One-shot-phase-shifting Fourier domain optical coherence tomography by reference wavefront tilting.

A novel optical scheme for a phase shifting method of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography is presented. With this method we avoid a mechanical scan for phase shifting (mechanical M-scan) by using a reference beam with tilted wavefront. The principle of this system is confirmed with a simple mirror object.