Laser polarimetric remote sensing has great potential in target detection, recognition and classification. Here, we propose a modified laser polarimetric active imaging system. Principles and advantages of polarimetric detection are discussed. Illuminating with a semiconductor laser, receiving by a Cassegrain telescope, splitting by a polarization beam splitter (PBS), two images are created on two CCDs simultaneously. Two images of orthogonal polarization states can be obtained once by using this system and then intensity and polarization degree can be calculated. Dual images coded with intensity and polarization degree of testing target are obtained and analyzed. Preliminary experiments are conducted, and the result shows the feasibility of the new method. Image coded with polarization degree can distinguish target, which cannot be realized in intensity image when the targets have similar reflectivity. Intensity image and polarization degree image can be fused together through HSI (Hue, Saturation and Intensity) pseudocolor coding. In the fusion image, different depolarization targets display in different colors, hence the purpose of classifying targets with same material can be achieved. Compared with traditional approaches which needing 16 images or 2 images, the new method has extremely improved the measurement efficiency and provides a new way for real-time polarimetric imaging.

Date Published: 9 October 2008
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7127, Seventh International Symposium on Instrumentation and Control Technology: Sensors and Instruments, Computer Simulation, and Artificial Intelligence, 712705 (9 October 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.806244

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7127:
Seventh International Symposium on Instrumentation and Control Technology: Sensors and Instruments, Computer Simulation, and Artificial Intelligence