Mapping of the degree of polarization improves sensitivity of imaging and ability to distinguish between polarized and partially polarized light. We developed and experimentally tested a method which is highly sensitive to a transverse distribution for the degree of light polarization. The method is based on adding several different sets of polarizing components to an imaging system, recording image set and digital processing to restore 2D maps for Stokes parameters and for the degree of polarization of the object. Results of computer simulations and optical experiments reveal that 3-5 times improvement of the contrast between polarized and partially polarized light was achieved.

Date Published: 8 September 2011
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8165, Unconventional Imaging, Wavefront Sensing, and Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging and Non-Imaging Sensor Systems, 816515 (8 September 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.893961

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8165:
Unconventional Imaging, Wavefront Sensing, and Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging and Non-Imaging Sensor Systems
Stanley Rogers; Jean J. Dolne; David P. Casasent; Thomas J. Karr; Victor L. Gamiz, Editor(s)