2-Cam LWIR imaging Stokes polarimeter

A 2-Cam micro-bolometer imaging polarimeter operating in the LWIR is presented. The system is capable of snapshot imaging Stokes polarimetry in any one channel (S1, S2, or S3) by taking two simultaneous measurements of a scene. For measurements of S1 or S2, the instrument relies on a specially optimized wire-grid beam-splitter. For measurements of S3, a form birefringent quarter-wave retarder is inserted into the optical path. Specifics associated with the design of the wire-grid beam-splitter and the form birefringent quarter-wave retarder will be overviewed, with inclusion of RCWA simulations. Calibration and simulation procedures, as well as calibration targets, will be highlighted, and initial data from the instrument are presented.