Near-infrared simultaneous Stokes imaging polarimeter: integration, field acquisitions, and instrument error estimation

In 2009, we presented a compact division of amplitude imaging polarimeter design that captures the complete Stokes parameters simultaneously. The advantages of this design are 1) reduced sensitivity to noise based on the optimized selection of polarization elements, 2) minimization of differential aberrations in the four polarimetric channels, and 3) reduction in image registration errors. A prototype polarimeter was integrated for the near-infrared wavelength, field tested, and shown to calculate and display estimated scene polarization in real time. In this paper, several data sets are presented showing the instruments unique remote detection capabilities from various platforms and scene types. Acquisitions include ground view, aerial view of an urban area, and K-model rocket plume imaging at 2.5 kilometers. The acquisitions were processed using several new polarimetric imaging techniques detailing the unique remote detection capability. This polarimeter design was driven by the requirement to increase the accuracy of Stokes estimation. Therefore, this paper will conclude with the precision or an estimate of errors associated with this particular instrument.