Open AccessPrismatic imaging polarimeter calibration for the infrared spectral region
Author(s) -
Michael W. Kudenov,
Larry Pezzaniti,
Eustace L. Dereniak,
Grant R. Gerhart
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.013720
Subject(s) - polarimeter , optics , polarimetry , calibration , birefringence , polarization (electrochemistry) , infrared , detector , radiometric calibration , materials science , physics , remote sensing , geology , chemistry , quantum mechanics , scattering
The calibration of a complete Stokes birefringent prismatic imaging polarimeter (BPIP) in the MWIR is demonstrated. The BPIP technique, originally developed by K. Oka, is implemented with a set of four Yttrium Vanadate (YVO(4)) crystal prisms. A mathematical model for the polarimeter is presented in which diattenuation due to Fresnel effects and dichroism in the crystal are included. An improved polarimetric calibration technique is introduced to remove the diattenuation effects, along with the relative radiometric calibration required for the BPIP operating with a thermal background and large detector offsets. Data demonstrating emission polarization are presented from various blackbodies, which are compared to data from our Fourier transform infrared spectropolarimeter.