White light Sagnac interferometer for snapshot linear polarimetric imaging

Guide to the design of broadband full polarization imager based on dispersion-compensation Savart plates

We provide a broadband channeled, modulated full polarization imaging technology based on dispersion-compensation Savart plates in 2020. It has the advantages of being compact, using the snapshot method, and having a bandwidth of 0.132 µm. It is thus invaluable for applications in diverse fields, including remote sensing, biomedicine, and military science. However, there are a lot of angle restrictions in the system. In practice, these angles cannot achieve such high machining precision, and we use the tolerance or compensation method of errors to analyze the influence of the angle deviation. This analysis will help the system achieve better compactness and stability and provide analysis methods for systems that use crystals as its key elements.

White-light channeled imaging polarimeter using Savart plates and a polarization Sagnac interferometer

A Stokes white-light channeled imaging polarimeter using Savart plates and a polarization Sagnac interferometer (IPSPPSI) is presented, which provides an effective solution to the problem of channel aliasing in broadband polarimeters. The expression for the light intensity distribution and a method to reconstruct polarization information are derived, and an example design for an IPSPPSI is given. The results reveal that a complete measurement of the Stokes parameters in broad band can be achieved with a snapshot on a single detector. The use of dispersive elements like gratings suppresses broadband carrier frequency dispersion so the channels in the frequency domain do not affect each other, ensuring the integrity of information coupled across the channels. Furthermore, the IPSPPSI has a compact structure and does not employ moving parts or require image registration. It shows great application potential in remote sensing, biological detection, and other fields.

Real-Time Measurement of Photodissociation with a Static Modulated Fourier Transform Spectrometer

A static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer composed of a modified Sagnac interferometer was implemented for real-time remote sensing of the spectral property changes in a solid dye. In the spectrum obtained from the implemented spectrometer, the relationship between spectral resolution and dependent factors was discussed to prevent aliasing. As a target material, a solid-state dye of rhodamine-6G was fabricated in the laboratory. When an intense pumping laser light was irradiated to a solid dye, with increasing irradiating time, photodissociation occurred due to the accumulated heat and the fluorescence intensity decreased rapidly. The fast change in the fluorescence spectrum of the solid dye due to photodissociation could be measured and analyzed in real time using a static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer implemented in the laboratory. As the pumping light source, a diode laser of 1 W output power at 530 nm, in which pulse width modulation was possible, was used. When the solid-state dye sample was irradiated with a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate and 2.5 ms pulse duration for 900 s, the fluorescence intensity decreased by 44%, the fluorescence peak wavelength shifted from 590 to 586 nm, and the maximum temperature of the irradiated portion rose up to 45 °C. Under the same conditions, when the pulse duration was increased by 4 times to 10 ms, the fluorescence intensity decreased by 65%, the fluorescence peak wavelength shifted from 590 to 580 nm, and the maximum temperature of the irradiated portion rose up to 76 °C. The spectrometer proposed in this study was effective in measuring and analyzing the spectral properties of rapidly changing materials in real time.

Accurate reconstruction of polarization parameters for channeled spectroscopic Stokes polarimeters

In this work, we present an accurate polarization reconstruction method based on the coherence demodulation technique, which is different from the previous windowing method operating in the optical path difference domain. The proposed method uses a signal multiplier and a low-pass filter to reconstruct Stokes parameters without performing any Fourier transform. Because this method does not require a Fourier transform, the Stokes reconstruction could be finished in the spectral domain. For calibrating the waveplate phase error, coherence demodulation allows for establishing an analytical model to describe the influence of waveplate imperfections on the polarization measurement process. The phase error will result in a channel shift and Fourier broadening, both of which cause serious errors during Stokes reconstruction. With the model, a method based on a linear polarizer was proposed for calibrating the phase deviation of waveplate. After that, the accurate reconstruction of polarization parameters could be achieved. An experiment was performed to check the ability of the proposed method. The experimental result showed that it has the same excellent performance of reconstructing Stokes parameters using the traditional windowing method. Finally, a series of simulations was carried out to verify the robustness of this method, which showed that the reconstruction technique is robust to misalignment and additional noise.

Snapshot broadband polarization imaging based on Mach-Zehnder-grating interferometer

Full polarization imaging plays an important role in remote sensing to distinguish artificial objects from the natural environment, recognizing objects in shadows and sun glint suppression. In this paper, we propose a broadband full Stokes channeled modulated polarization imaging system based on a Mach-Zehnder-grating interferometer (MZGI) with advantages such as compact size, low cost, snapshot ability, and high optical efficiency. It uses gratings to compensate for the dispersion of the carried frequency when inputting broadband light to generate interference fringes. Two detectors are assembled to the output plane to acquire the interference fringes. Each image obtained by the detectors can be individually demodulated into different Stokes parameters individually. When the two groups are combined together, the full Stokes parameters are obtained. The simulation and optical efficiency analysis demonstrate that the interference fringes can obtain the full polarization information simultaneously with high optical efficiency in broadband wavelengths.

Broadband snapshot complete imaging polarimeter based on dual Sagnac-grating interferometers

A broadband snapshot complete imaging polarimeter (BSCIP), covering 400-700 nm, is presented. The device, which is based on two cascade Sagnac-grating interferometers, offers significant advantages over previous implementations. Specifically, with no moving parts, electrically controllable or micro-polarization elements, the broadband full polarization images of a scene can be acquired in a single frame. The operation principle of the system is explained by using the Mueller calculus. Optical efficiency and interference visibility are calculated. Finally, the device's validity is demonstrated by Stokes parameters measurement and polarimetric imaging test experiments.

Elimination of error induced by a beam splitter substrate for a dispersion-compensated polarization Sagnac interferometer

A wire grating beam splitter (WGBS) substrate in a dispersion-compensated polarization Sagnac interferometer (DCPSI) may introduce an additional shear distance in the shear distance generated by the DCPSI, thereby causing poor adaptability of the DCPSI to white light. This work applies a compensation scheme of an optical flat with the same material and thickness as the WGBS and parallel to the WGBS introduced in the other arm of the DCPSI. Theoretically, this method can decrease the additional shear distance approaching 0. The ideal shear distance in the simulation experiment is 5.86 mm, and the shear distance before and after compensation is 5.40 and 5.86 mm, respectively. The theoretical value of the additional shear distance in this experiment is -0.6625  mm, and the average compensation value is 0.66 mm. Overall, experiment and simulation results indicate that the above method can effectively eliminate the additional shear distance.

Design trade-off and proof of concept for LOUPE, the Lunar Observatory for Unresolved Polarimetry of Earth

We provide a proof of the technical feasibility of LOUPE, the first integral-field snapshot spectropolarimeter, designed to monitor the reflected flux and polarization spectrum of Earth. These are to be used as benchmark data for the retrieval of biomarkers and atmospheric and surface characteristics from future direct observations of exoplanets. We perform a design trade-off for an implementation in which LOUPE performs snapshot integral-field spectropolarimetry at visible wavelengths. We used off-the-shelf optics to construct a polarization modulator, in which polarization information is encoded into the spectrum as a wavelength-dependent modulation, while spatial resolution is maintained using a micro-lens array. The performance of this design concept is validated in a laboratory setup. Our proof-of-concept is capable of measuring a grid of 50 × 50 polarization spectra between 610 and 780 nm of a mock target planet - proving the merit of this design. The measurements are affected by systematic noise on the percent level, and we discuss how to mitigate this in future iterations. We conclude that LOUPE can be small and robust while meeting the science goals of this particular space application, and note the many potential applications that may benefit from our concept for doing snapshot integral-field spectropolarimetry.

Neural network calibration of a snapshot birefringent Fourier transform spectrometer with periodic phase errors

Systematic phase errors in Fourier transform spectroscopy can severely degrade the calculated spectra. Compensation of these errors is typically accomplished using post-processing techniques, such as Fourier deconvolution, linear unmixing, or iterative solvers. This results in increased computational complexity when reconstructing and calibrating many parallel interference patterns. In this paper, we describe a new method of calibrating a Fourier transform spectrometer based on the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs). In this way, it is demonstrated that a simpler and more straightforward reconstruction process can be achieved at the cost of additional calibration equipment. To this end, we provide a theoretical model for general systematic phase errors in a polarization birefringent interferometer. This is followed by a discussion of our experimental setup and a demonstration of our technique, as applied to data with and without phase error. The technique's utility is then supported by comparison to alternative reconstruction techniques using fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) and linear unmixing.

Spectral density response functions for modulated polarimeters

Conventional imaging devices are often compared using their optical transfer functions (OTFs) in space and their impulse responses in time. Modulated polarimeters cannot be directly compared this way, since they are frequency multiplexed. Here we define a spectral density response function that describes how the spectral density matrix of the Stokes parameters for an object transfers through a modulated polarimeter. This response function facilitates the objective comparison of polarimeters in a way that is analogous to the OTF for conventional imaging systems. The spectral density response is used to calculate a Wiener filter for a rotating analyzer polarimeter as an example of filter optimization for modulated polarimetry.

Multispectral filter arrays: recent advances and practical implementation

Thanks to some technical progress in interferencefilter design based on different technologies, we can finally successfully implement the concept of multispectral filter array-based sensors. This article provides the relevant state-of-the-art for multispectral imaging systems and presents the characteristics of the elements of our multispectral sensor as a case study. The spectral characteristics are based on two different spatial arrangements that distribute eight different bandpass filters in the visible and near-infrared area of the spectrum. We demonstrate that the system is viable and evaluate its performance through sensor spectral simulation.

Tests of a compact static Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeter

A compact Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeter covering a 450-1000 nm spectral range is presented. The sensor, which is based on two birefringent retarders and a Wollaston interferometer, offers significant advantages over previous implementations. Specifically, with no internal moving parts, electrically controllable or micro polarization components, the full wavelength-dependent state of polarization, spectral and spatial information of a scene can be acquired simultaneously. Outdoor measurements of several cars and plants demonstrate the sensor's potential for color measurement, target identification, and agriculture monitoring applications.

Snapshot imaging Mueller matrix polarimeter using polarization gratings

A snapshot imaging Mueller matrix polarimeter (SIMMP) is theoretically described and empirically demonstrated through simulation. Spatial polarization fringes are localized onto a sample by incorporating polarization gratings (PGs) into a polarization generator module. These fringes modulate the Mueller matrix (MM) components of the sample, which are subsequently isolated with PGs in an analyzer module. The MM components are amplitude modulated onto spatial carrier frequencies which, due to the PGs, maintain high visibility in spectrally broadband illumination. An interference model of the SIMMP is provided, followed by methods of reconstruction and calibration. Lastly, a numerical simulation is used to demonstrate the system's performance in the presence of noise.

White-light channeled imaging polarimeter using broadband polarization gratings

A white-light snapshot channeled linear imaging (CLI) polarimeter is demonstrated by utilizing polarization gratings (PGs). The CLI polarimeter is capable of measuring the two-dimensional distribution of the linear Stokes polarization parameters by incorporating two identical PGs, in series, along the optical axis. In this configuration, the general optical shearing functionality of a uniaxial crystal-based Savart plate is realized. However, unlike a Savart plate, the diffractive nature of the PGs creates a linear dependence of the shear versus wavelength, thus providing broadband functionality. Consequently, by incorporating the PG-based Savart plate into a Savart plate channeled imaging polarimeter, white-light interference fringes can be generated. This enables polarimetric image data to be acquired at shorter exposure times in daylight conditions, making it more appealing over the quasi-monochromatic channeled imaging polarimeters previously described in the literature. Furthermore, the PG-based device offers significantly more compactness, field of view, optical simplicity, and vibration insensitivity than previously described white-light CLI polarimeters based on Sagnac interferometers. Included in this paper are theoretical descriptions of the linear (S(0), S(1), and S(2)) and complete (S(0), S(1), S(2), and S(3)) channeled Stokes imaging polarimeters. Additionally, descriptions of our calibration procedures and our experimental proof of concept CLI system are provided. These are followed by laboratory and outdoor polarimetric measurements of S(0), S(1), and S(2).

White-light Sagnac interferometer for snapshot multispectral imaging

The theoretical and experimental demonstration of a multispectral Sagnac interferometer (MSI) is presented. The MSI was created by including two multiple-order blazed diffraction gratings in both arms of a standard polarization Sagnac interferometer (PSI). By introducing these high-order diffractive structures, unique spectral passbands can be amplitude modulated onto coincident carrier frequencies. Extraction of the modulated multispectral images, corresponding to each passband, is accomplished within the Fourier domain. This yields a unique multispectral sensor capable of imaging all the passbands in a single snapshot. First, the theoretical operating principles of a PSI are discussed to provide a context for the MSI. This is followed by the theoretical and experimental development of the MSI, which is an extension of a dispersion-compensated PSI. Indoor and outdoor testing and validation of the MSI are performed by observing vegetation, demonstrating the ability of our experimental setup to detect four distinct spectral passbands.