Longwave Infrared Imaging Spectro-Polarimeter

This proposal is for the construction of a fast imaging spectro-polarimeter for the measurement of spatial, spectral, and polarization signatures of both targets and backgrounds for improving target recognition and discrimination. The proposed innovative snapshot imaging sensor provides spatial, spectral, and polarization data for each pixel at each frame time. This unique approach elimanates scanning through the spectrum as required by conventional approaches and provides all four Stokes vectors for each pixel at each wavelength. The proposed sensor design operates in the longwave infrared wavelength region. The proposed sensor builds on developments at the University of Arizona's Optical Detection Laboratory and provides the most versatile sensor developed to date.