Polarization imaging is a promising technique that can provide scene details otherwise obscurred with conventional intensity imaging. The polarization characteristics of radiation contain a greater amount of information about the origins of the radiation and can aid in target identification and hazard detection. This SBIR Phase I project is directed at developing a liquid crystal polarization analyzer that will form the core technology behind a real-time polarization imaging system. The approach uses innovative liquid crystal materials and structures to simultaneously accomplish the necessary polarization retardation and rotation changes. Using liquid crystals allows an all-electrical approach to polarzation imaging and offers significant advantages in terms of higher speed and lower cost over the current class of mechancially-driven devices.Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Since intensity imaging is a subset of polarization imaging, in essence, anywhere a conventional intensity-based imaging system is used, a polarization imaging system can be substituted. As imaging plays a vital role throughout military and commercial sectors, polarization imaging is expected to have wide-spread applications. Additionally, the proposed liquid crystal approach is well-suited for incorporation into existing technology and may obviate the need for equipment replacement. Polarization imaging systems accel at enhancing scene details, especially in low-contrast or intensity-cluttered environments. For example, polarization imaging can benefit the civilian sector, by detecting ice on airplane wings, and the military sector, by detecting partially submerged land mines.
