Phenomenology Studies using a Handheld Polarimeter

Polarimetric detection is gaining interest as a means to complement the information obtained through radiometric and multispectral detection. Understanding polarization phenomenology is key to exploiting polarimetry; however, the dependence ofpolarization on a significant number of parameters is not well understood and polarimetric BRDF data is limited. Many polarimeters have been developed for phenomenology studies. However, results from various sensors tend to conflict with each otherrather than bolster phenomenology understanding.SY Technology is proposing to develop a non-imaging spectro-polarimeter capable of highly calibrated phenomenology measurements in the lab and field. The enhanced sensitivity will be achieved primarily through the use of highly linear, high dynamic range(through nine orders of magnitude) large-area detectors. The highly portable, inexpensive system is to acquire multispectral, full-Stokes data simultaneously with either a personal data assistant (PDA) or laptop computer. Small spectro-polarimeter tubeswill be developed from the visible to the LWIR and may be combined in various configurations. Phase I of this SBIR will focus on developing a visible dual-waveband prototype with laptop acquisition, proper characterization and calibration procedures, and afeasibility study for integrating a suite of modular spectro-polarimeter devices (from the visible to the LWIR) with a PDA and/or laptop computer. This device will collect highly calibrated field measurements against which the calibration of morecomplex imaging polarimeters can be verified. Additionally, the device can be used as the detector assembly in a laboratory polarized BRDF instrument and then taken to the field to provide a correlation between laboratory and field measurements. Thedevice may also be used in unattended, diurnal monitoring of polarimetric signatures of the sky, backgrounds, and targets of interest, providing a correlation between observed polarization phenomenology and weather conditions. The portability and low costof the device makes it a prime candidate for use in the research and development of commercial applications of polarimetry including medical diagnostics, surface quality and defects analysis in manufacturing assembly lines, crop monitoring, drug detection,environmental monitoring, and ice detection.