Variable-retardance, Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeters for visible spectrum remote sensing

Abstract

An imaging, variable-retardance, Fourier-transform spectropolarimeter is presented that is capable of creating spectropolarimetric images of scenes with independent characterization of spatial, spectral, and polarimetric information. The device has a spectral resolution of approximately 225 cm(-1), making it truly hyperspectral in nature. Images of canonical targets such as spheres and cylinders obtained in a laboratory setup are presented. The results demonstrate the capability of developing systems to collect spectropolarimetric data of field images by use of the concept of pushbroom scanning and serial collection of polarimetric information. Further development of a parallelized collection strategy would allow the collection of near-real-time images of real-world targets.