Comparison of different active polarimetric imaging modes for target detection in outdoor environment.

We address the detection of manufactured objects in different types of environments with active polarimetric imaging. Using an original, fully adaptive imager, we compare several imaging modes having different numbers of polarimetric degrees of freedom. We demonstrate the efficiency of active polarimetric imaging for decamouflage and hazardous object detection, and underline the characteristics that a polarimetric imager aimed at this type of application should possess.

Active polarimetric imager with near infrared laser illumination for adaptive contrast optimization.

We designed and built an active polarimetric imager with laser illumination at 1.5 μm wavelength for adaptive polarimetric contrast optimization. It can generate and analyze any polarization state on the Poincaré sphere in order to best adapt to the polarimetric properties of the scene.