Genre: Information/Explanation

Nature of problem : The problem treated is the analysis of the effect , on the detected AC signals , of imperfections in and misalignment of the optical components of a polarization-modulation ellipsometer . This permits correction of the values of psi and delta ( characteristics of the sample surface ) for systematic error , estimation of the uncertainty in the final result , and identification of the most significant sources of experimental error . Solution method : The transmitted amplitude vector is computer using the Jones matrices of the individual components . The modified Jones matrices introduced by O ' Handley are used to separate the DC and AC components of the detected intensity . Running time : 1.4 sec for one datum point ( systematic error correction with 5 iterations + complete calculations of experimental uncertainty ) . 0.3 sec for uncertainty calculation only .