Polarization measurement of vacuum ultraviolet light using visible fluorescence from neon atoms

Abstract

The polarization state of the vacuum ultraviolet light has been studied with a fluorescence polarimeter based on the conversion of short wavelength light into visible fluorescence via atomic resonance. In addition to the previously established method using helium atoms, the results show that polarization state of vacuum ultraviolet light can be evaluated by observing the visible fluorescence emitted from neon atoms. This study demonstrates that a fluorescence polarimeter can be used in conjunction with a variety of atoms and molecules and thus extends the range of wavelengths to which this method can be applied.