Imaging polarimeter sensor with achromatic beam-splitting polarizer
US7016040B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J4/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An imaging polarimeter sensor includes an achromatic beam-splitting polarizer that receives a polychromatic image beam of a scene and simultaneously produces a first polarized polychromatic image beam and a second polarized polychromatic image beam. The second polarized polychromatic image beam is of a different polarization than the first polarized polychromatic image beam and is angularly separated from the first polarized polychromatic image beam. The achromatic beam-splitting polarizer preferably includes a Wollaston prism through which the polychromatic image beam passes, and at least one grating through which the polychromatic image beam passes either before or after it passes through the Wollaston prism. An imaging detector receives the first polarized polychromatic image beam and the second polarized polychromatic image beam and produces an output image signal responsive to the first polarized polychromatic image beam and the second polarized polychromatic image beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.