A division of aperture MWIR imaging polarimeter

Imaging polarimetry has the potential to be a key sensor technology in a number of target detection applications. Imaging polarimeters measure the polarization state of light emitted from and/or reflected from scenes. The light is polarized because of the geometry, roughness and material properties of the objects embedded in the scene. This added information enhances conventional intensity and color imagery, potentially surpassing its performance in low contrast situations. In this paper, we describe a divided aperture MWIR imaging polarimeter which acquires multiple polarization images simultaneously. At the heart of the polarimeter is a relay lens set that produces four identical images on a single focal plane array from a single aperture. Each of the four images measures a different orientation of linear polarization, 0, 45, 90 and 135 degrees. The relay lens set operates inside of a pour fill Dewar of a InSb MWIR camera. The design and calibration method for the polarimeter are given along with example data sets taken from the air over Huntsville, AL.