Phenomenology Studies using a Handheld Polarimeter

Polarization continues to gain interest as a means to complement the information obtained through radiometric detection. Understanding the phenomenology of polarization through modeling is key to exploiting polarimetry in these application areas. However polarimetric modeling requires credible and accurate instrumentation to provide input for empirical simulations and to validate the output. In Phase I, Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc. developed a non-imaging, handheld polarimeter comprised of six optical heads and a laptop that is capable of highly calibrated phenomenology measurements in the visible spectrum. The primary motivation for such a device is to validate polarization phenomenology models and to verify the calibration of imaging polarimeters. The device can be used to take highly calibrated laboratory and field measurements of test panels and targets to confirm the results obtained by more complex imaging sensors. In Phase II, optical heads will be developed in other wavebands and integrated with the data acquisition system. After a thorough calibration, they will be used to support laboratory experiments and field tests. Analysis tools will be developed that will aid the end user in interpreting, understanding, and archiving the acquired data. System calibration and commercialization opportunities are also priorities of the Phase II effort.