Compact Infrared Polarimeter for Target Tracking in Clutter

QuantaSpec will modify its hyperspectral imager technology to develop a compact infrared polarimeter that has a SWAP footprint that is slightly greater than a thermal camera. Two approaches will be investigated. One of the approaches measures the complete Stokes vector at full frame rate and full spatial resolution. The prior art approach of using polarizers integrated on to a focal plane array (FPA) greatly degrades image resolution because a pixel is used for each polarization state. QuantaSpec's approach is superior to integrating filters on focal plane arrays (FPAs) because it does not use a pixel for each polarization state which preserves image resolution. In addition, Quantaspec's approach is a Fourier approach which enables calibration to compensate for imperfect components or alignment. Further, QuantaSpec's approach captures all elements of the Stokes vector simultaneously at full frame rate, unlike the prior art rotating polarizaer approach. QuantaSpec's approach can work over much of the mid wave infrared and all of the long wave infrared. Lastly QuantaSpec's approach uses no moving parts.