We present the application of a near infra red Mueller matrix imaging ellipsometer to the characterization of
plasmonic polarizers. The samples are prepared by evaporation of Au onto SiO2 ripples. The nanostructured
ripple surface has been produced by ion beam sputtering at an off normal angle of incidence. Au was thereafter
evaporated onto the surface at an grazing angle. As a result, thin lines of nearly connected Au nanoparticles
form along the illuminated side of the ripples, resulting in a large in-plane anisotropy of the structure. Mueller
matrix imaging is used to determine the lateral uniformity of the optical signal in correlation to the real space
topography of the sample, and to determine to what degree the nanoparticles tend to form a connected wire, or
whether there are well separated Au particles. The success of this method in order to produce polarizers, lies
in controlling the process to allow well connected lines of Au particles along the ripples, with a high degree of
homogeneity. Mueller Matrix images of the sample recorded at normal incidence are shown, and the information
that can be extracted from such images is discussed.
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