Optical enhancement of aircraft detection using polarization

Walter G. Egan; Michael J. Duggin

doi:10.1117/12.406624

15 November 2000 Optical enhancement of aircraft detection using polarization

Walter G. Egan, Michael J. Duggin

Proceedings Volume 4133, Polarization Analysis, Measurement, and Remote Sensing III; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.406624
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Focal plane wideband infrared digital polarization imagery will be compared with visual wideband focal plane digital imagery of a camouflaged C-130 aircraft to show the extreme enhancement possible using digital imagery. The experimental observations will be compared with theoretical calculations and modeling results of both specular and shadowed areas. The relationship of both the specular and the shadowed areas to surface structure, orientation, specularity, roughness, shadowing, orientation and complex index of refraction will be illustrated. The imagery was obtained in four plane polarized directions with axes oriented vertically, horizontally and at plus and minus 45 degrees to the vertical. Nine locations on the aircraft were chosen (tail, fuselage, wing and propeller as well as five sky locations to establish sky background. Both sunlit and shadowed locations were examined. The direction of the dominant plane of polarization was obtained, but not the existence of circular polarization, which requires a quarter wave plate to resolve temporal coherence. Unpolarized radiation exists in the imagery,but its coherence is not evident without a phase resolving element.

Citation Download Citation

Walter G. Egan and Michael J. Duggin "Optical enhancement of aircraft detection using polarization", Proc. SPIE 4133, Polarization Analysis, Measurement, and Remote Sensing III, (15 November 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.406624

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