Evaluation and display of polarimetric image data using long-wave cooled microgrid focal plane arrays

David L. Bowers; James K. Boger; L. David Wellems; Wiley T. Black; Steve E. Ortega; Bradley M. Ratliff; Matthew P. Fetrow; John E. Hubbs; J. Scott Tyo

doi:10.1117/12.666600

3 May 2006 Evaluation and display of polarimetric image data using long-wave cooled microgrid focal plane arrays

David L. Bowers, James K. Boger, L. David Wellems, Wiley T. Black, Steve E. Ortega, Bradley M. Ratliff, Matthew P. Fetrow, John E. Hubbs, J. Scott Tyo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6240, Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing VII; 62400F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.666600
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Recent developments for Long Wave InfraRed (LWIR) imaging polarimeters include incorporating a microgrid polarizer array onto the focal plane array (FPA). Inherent advantages over typical polarimeters include packaging and instantaneous acquisition of thermal and polarimetric information. This allows for real time video of thermal and polarimetric products. The microgrid approach has inherent polarization measurement error due to the spatial sampling of a non-uniform scene, residual pixel to pixel variations in the gain corrected responsivity and in the noise equivalent input (NEI), and variations in the pixel to pixel micro-polarizer performance. The Degree of Linear Polarization (DoLP) is highly sensitive to these parameters and is consequently used as a metric to explore instrument sensitivities. Image processing and fusion techniques are used to take advantage of the inherent thermal and polarimetric sensing capability of this FPA, providing additional scene information in real time. Optimal operating conditions are employed to improve FPA uniformity and sensitivity. Data from two DRS Infrared Technologies, L.P. (DRS) microgrid polarizer HgCdTe FPAs are presented. One FPA resides in a liquid nitrogen (LN2) pour filled dewar with a 80°K nominal operating temperature. The other FPA resides in a cryogenic (cryo) dewar with a 60° K nominal operating temperature.

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David L. Bowers, James K. Boger, L. David Wellems, Wiley T. Black, Steve E. Ortega, Bradley M. Ratliff, Matthew P. Fetrow, John E. Hubbs, and J. Scott Tyo "Evaluation and display of polarimetric image data using long-wave cooled microgrid focal plane arrays", Proc. SPIE 6240, Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing VII, 62400F (3 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.666600

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