Inkjet Printing of Flexible Circuits on Polymer Substrate

When light radiates from the surface of a man-made object, the radiation is often polarized. The polarization components contain information about the spatial orientation of the surface elements. The polarization components may also reveal the material and surface roughness of the surface elements. Researchers have recognized the potential usefulness of imaging polarization data for target detection and identification. However, only recently has the imaging of polarization data in real time been practical. Physics Innovations Inc. has developed a thermal imaging sensor which images intensity and linear polarization data. In the proposed project, we will develop novel microscale waveplates and sensors which will image, in real time, circular polarization data. Circular polarization imaging is complementary to linear polarization imaging. When radiation, from the smooth surface of a man-made object, is primarily thermal emission, then linear polarization is significant. When the radiation is primarily reflection off the surface, then circular polarization is expected to be significant. The proposed sensor can be compact and would be suitable for use for target discrimination in ballistic missile defense systems. This sensor also has applications in synthetic vision for aircraft and automobiles, remote sensing, and quality inspection in circuit board manufacturing.