The 8 - 12 micrometer polarization signatures of diffuse and specular aluminum geometrical darts were analyzed outdoors using a polarization sensitive thermal imager. Results of the degree and plane of polarization are presented for different thermal imager gain bands and weather conditions during a two week period. The 0 degree, 45 degree, 90 degree and 135 degree polarizer orientations were thermally calibrated and the S1 and S2 Stokes parameters shown as radiometric temperature differences. The effect on the polarization signatures of range is considered for these targets at 100 m and 370 m. A comparison of the degree of polarization to changes in the emission/reflection balance and to variations in the dart's complex refractive index is made.

Date Published: 17 June 1996
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 2742, Targets and Backgrounds: Characterization and Representation II, (17 June 1996); doi: 10.1117/12.243008

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2742:
Targets and Backgrounds: Characterization and Representation II
Wendell R. Watkins; Dieter Clement, Editor(s)