Switchable Polarimetric Camera for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

Recent developments in polarimetric imaging have shown that polarization can offer significant advantages in target detection in difficult detection scenarios. However, many of the systems used to demonstrate these performance enhancements are used in situations where signal to noise is not an issue. In almost any polarimeter, loss of signal to noise results because of the relatively unpolarized nature of the target signatures and the inherent loss of unpolarized light to the polarizer in the system. Schemes to remove the polarizer from the system for these situations is not practical. Polaris Sensor Technologies is proposing to address this problem by developing an on-demand polarizer. This device will be capable of switching the polarization sensitivity off with little loss in throughput increasing sensor sensitivity in difficult detection scenarios. When turned on, the polarimeter will function as a conventional, division of focal plane polarimeter. The Phase I will developed the on-demand polarizer device, establish design and process rules for fabrication of prototype and integration into a system in Phase II. BENEFIT: There is significant commercialization potential for the proposed system for Air Force manned platforms, missiles, and ground based vehicles. The small size and sensitivity of the final sensor will enable plug and play replacement of existing sensors.