Optical spectrum analysis and polarization analysis are not generally related by conventional wisdom. In this paper, we show that the spectrum of a light beam can be obtained using a polarimeter, with a resolution and a speed that cannot be achieved with traditional spectrum analysis methods. We experimentally demonstrate a novel polarimeterbased optical spectrum analyzer (P-OSA) and show that the high-speed and high-resolution nature of the device enables rapid measurement of the spectrum of

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... ept laser sources at a repetition rate of more than 100 kHz. We show the generation of a unique 3-D plot of the spectral shape of a light source as its center wavelength is swept.