Performance predictions for micro-polarizer array imaging polarimeters

Michael W. Jones; Christopher M. Persons

doi:10.1117/12.736225

13 September 2007 Performance predictions for micro-polarizer array imaging polarimeters

Michael W. Jones, Christopher M. Persons

Proceedings Volume 6682, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing III; 668208 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.736225
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Imaging polarimetry is an emerging sensor technology that promises to improve the performance of sensor systems when used as an adjunct to conventional intensity-based imaging. Several prototype systems capable of being deployed from aircraft are under development. One system has successfully completed an airborne military utility assessment and is being transitioned to operational status. As this technology continues to gain interest, it will become necessary to both accurately predict the performance of proposed systems before they are fabricated as well as develop modeling and simulation tools that will allow their performance to be evaluated for various operational scenarios. In this paper we develop several performance prediction tools that can be used to address these needs; these models are based on the micro-polarizer array (MPA) implementation of imaging polarimeters as this architecture is at the forefront in the development of deployable systems. Focal plane array (FPA) well size, polarizer extinction ratio (ER), pixel crosstalk, and processing algorithms all play roles in the performance that can be attained by a proposed sensor. We discuss the polarimetric response of an MPA-based polarimetric detector and use this model to illustrate the effects of these parameters on the sensor's polarimetric performance, which we cast as noise equivalent degree of linear polarization (NeDoLP). Key conclusions from these analyses are that the detector well size sets the upper limit on performance and that pixel crosstalk will likely the biggest contributor to polarimetric loss in most systems.

Citation Download Citation

Michael W. Jones and Christopher M. Persons "Performance predictions for micro-polarizer array imaging polarimeters", Proc. SPIE 6682, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing III, 668208 (13 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.736225

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