Practical Broadband Cryogenic Polarization Controlled Scene Projector

Aerius Photonics is proposing a highly practical and effective plan to develop a scene projector that allows the polarization state of each pixel to be independently and dynamically controlled at full frame rates. The projector would utilize a single unpolarized resistor array system with a 4 polarization state linear micro-patterned polarizer. The resultant scene projector will be capable of projecting the three linear Stokes vectors to represent any arbitrary linear polarization by adjusting the output from each pixel in each resistor array independently. The benefits of this approach include the following: (1) reduced risk, (2) precise polarization control for each pixel, (3) compatibility with the cryogenic vacuum operation, (4) and the ability to generate the full linear Stokes vectors for compatibility with future polarization sensitive imaging sensors. BENEFIT: This system will quickly allow laboratories to test their imaging systems for polarization with a simple change to their current-generation scene projector systems. Since many of the newer seekers and seeker development programs are utilizing polarization as a means for discrimination, Aerius’ system will allow testing of the units without adding a substantial amount of new hardware. Aerius expects that this product would provide a seamless migration from unpolarized scenes to polarized scenes. In addition, this technology is compatible with other types of scene projectors besides resistor arrays, and it enables an extension of their capabilities as well to polarization-controlled scene projection.