Simple and cost-effective measurement of polarization components or the complete PSoL (the so-called Stokes parameters) is achieved without any mechanical movements or deformation by using liquid crystal elements. A transmission of a first polarization of light is greater than a transmission of a second orthogonal polarization of light and transmission of the second polarization is greater than 5%. In another of the different states, the device has different levels of transmission of the first and second polarizations of light. At least two orthogonal polarization component values characterizing the light can be resolved by comparing an intensity of light captured in a plurality of the different states.