Julia M. Craven

False signature reduction in channeled spectropolarimetry

Channeled spectropolarimetry measures the complete polarization state of light, using a single spectrum, by amplitude modulating the Stokes parameters onto spectral carrier frequencies. However, spectral features that are not band limited in the Fourier transform domain, such as narrow-band atomic absorption lines, can generate false polarimetric signatures. We present a false-signature (aliasing) reduction technique that reduces the error induced by these non-band-limited features. Additionally, the spectral resolution of the S0 Stokes parameter is improved, up to the maximum resolution offered by the spectrometer. A theoretical model for implementing the technique on a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer is presented, including an enhanced model that accounts for dichroism within the crystal. The approach is experimentally demonstrated in the middle-wavelength infrared (3-5 µm) with the use of two multiple-order yttrium vanadate retarders. Additional results demonstrating the technique for wavelengths spanning 2.5-15 µm are obtained using cadmium sulfide retarders. Reconstructions are compared to conventional channeled spectropolarimetric reconstructions from the same system.

False signature reduction in infrared channeled spectropolarimetry

Channeled spectropolarimetry, first developed by K. Oka, is capable of measuring all the Stokes parameters from a single modulated spectrum. We present a theoretical means for improving the spectral resolution of channeled spectropolarimetry by at least a factor of four. Especially valuable in the infrared due to atmospheric absorption features, this method simultaneously provides for the correction of aliasing artifacts from the channels used for the determination of the Stokes parameters. The technique is experimentally demonstrated using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and two multiple-order Yttrium Vanadate (YVO4) retarders. This approach is implemented with consideration of crystal dichroism effects, and reconstructions are compared with conventional channeled spectropolarimetric reconstructions from the same system. Additional results, produced by using Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) retarders, provide demonstration of the technique across the infrared.

Compact Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Polarimeter

A compact SWIR/MWIR infrared hyperspectral imaging polarimeter (IHIP) is currently under development at the Optical Detection Lab at the University of Arizona. The sensor uses a pair of sapphire Wollaston prisms and high order retarders to form an imaging birefringent Fourier transform spectropolarimeter. Polarimetric data are acquired through the use of channeled spectropolarimetry to modulate the spectrum with the Stokes parameter information. The two dimensional interferogram is Fourier filtered and reconstructed to recover the complete Stokes vector data across the image. The IHIP operates over a +/-5° field of view and will use a dual-scan false signature reduction technique to suppress polarimetric aliasing artifacts. We present current instrument development progress, initial laboratory results, and our plan for future work.

Compressed channeled spectropolarimetry

Channeled spectropolarimetry measures the spectrally resolved Stokes parameters. A key aspect of this technique is to accurately reconstruct the Stokes parameters from a modulated measurement of the channeled spectropolarimeter. The state-of-the-art reconstruction algorithm uses the Fourier transform to extract the Stokes parameters from channels in the Fourier domain. While this approach is straightforward, it can be sensitive to noise and channel cross-talk, and it imposes bandwidth limitations that cut off high frequency details. To overcome these drawbacks, we present a reconstruction method called compressed channeled spectropolarimetry. In our proposed framework, reconstruction in channeled spectropolarimetry is an underdetermined problem, where we take N measurements and solve for 3N unknown Stokes parameters. We formulate an optimization problem by creating a mathematical model of the channeled spectropolarimeter with inspiration from compressed sensing. We show that our approach offers greater noise robustness and reconstruction accuracy compared with the Fourier transform technique in simulations and experimental measurements. By demonstrating more accurate reconstructions, we push performance to the native resolution of the sensor, allowing more information to be recovered from a single measurement of a channeled spectropolarimeter.

Channeled spectropolarimetry using iterative reconstruction

Channeled spectropolarimeters (CSP) measure the polarization state of light as a function of wavelength. Conventional Fourier reconstruction suffers from noise, assumes the channels are band-limited, and requires uniformly spaced samples. To address these problems, we propose an iterative reconstruction algorithm. We develop a mathematical model of CSP measurements and minimize a cost function based on this model. We simulate a measured spectrum using example Stokes parameters, from which we compare conventional Fourier reconstruction and iterative reconstruction. Importantly, our iterative approach can reconstruct signals that contain more bandwidth, an advancement over Fourier reconstruction. Our results also show that iterative reconstruction mitigates noise effects, processes non-uniformly spaced samples without interpolation, and more faithfully recovers the ground truth Stokes parameters. This work offers a significant improvement to Fourier reconstruction for channeled spectropolarimetry.

Computed tomographic imaging spectropolarimeter characterization

A computed tomographic imaging spectrometer (CTIS) is an instrument which can simultaneously obtain image spatial and spectral information without moving parts in a single focal plane array integration time. When this instrument is combined with a channeled spectropolarimeter, the instrument can also obtain complete Stokes polarization information at each resolution element. The combined instrument, called a computed tomographic imaging channeled spectropolarimeter (CTICS), has been developed in the visible wavelength region. This paper summarizes the CTICS design and results obtained from data acquired during field testing of the CTICS instrument.

Long wave infrared spectropolarimetric directional reflectometer (Conference Presentation)

We report on the design, modeling, calibration, and experimental results of a LWIR, spectrally and temporally resolved broad band bi-directional reflectance distribution function measuring device. The system is built using a commercial Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, which presents challenges due to relatively low power output compared to laser based methods. The instrument is designed with a sample area that is oriented normal to gravity, making the device suitable for measuring loose powder materials, liquids, or other samples that can be difficult to measure in a vertical orientation. The team built a radiometric model designed to understand the trade space available for various design choices as well as to predict instrument success at measuring the target materials. The radiometric model was built by using the output of commercial non sequential raytracing tools combined with a scripted simulation of the interferometer. The trade space identified in this analysis will be presented. The design was based on moving periscopes with custom off axis parabolas to focus the light onto the sample. The system assembly and alignment will be discussed. The calibration method used for the sensor will be detailed, and preliminary measurements from this research sensor will be presented.

Using unmanned aerial systems to collect hyperspectral imagery and digital elevation models at a legacy underground nuclear explosion test site

Hyperspectral and multispectral imagers have been developed and deployed on satellite and manned aerial platforms for decades and have been used to produce spectrally resolved reflectance and other radiometric products. Similarly, light detection and ranging, or LIDAR, systems are regularly deployed from manned aerial platforms to produce a variety of products, including digital elevation models. While both types of systems have demonstrated impressive capabilities from these conventional platforms, for some applications it is desirable to have higher spatial resolution and more deployment flexibility than satellite or manned aerial platforms can offer. Commercially available unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, have recently emerged as an alternative platform for deploying optical imaging and detection systems, including spectral imagers and high resolution cameras. By enabling deployments in rugged terrain, collections at low altitudes, and flight durations of several hours, UAS offer the opportunity to obtain high spatial resolution products over multiple square kilometers in remote locations. Taking advantage of this emerging capability, our team recently deployed a commercial UAS to collect hyperspectral imagery, RGB imagery, and photogrammetry products at a legacy underground nuclear explosion test site and its surrounds. Ground based point spectrometer data collected over the same area serves as ground truth for the airborne results. The collected data is being used to map the site and evaluate the utility of optical remote sensing techniques for measuring signatures of interest, such as the mineralogy, anthropogenic objects, and vegetative health. This work will overview our test campaign, our results to date, and our plans for future work.

Compressed channeled linear imaging polarimetry

Channeled linear imaging polarimeters measure the two-dimensional distribution of the linear Stokes parameters. A key aspect of this technique is to accurately reconstruct the Stokes parameters from a snapshot, modulated measurement of the channeled linear imaging polarimeter. The state-of-the-art reconstruction takes the Fourier transform of the measurement to separate the Stokes parameters into channels. While straightforward, this approach is sensitive to channel cross-talk and imposes bandwidth limitations that cut off high frequency details. To overcome these drawbacks, we present a reconstruction method called compressed channeled linear imaging polarimetry. In this framework, reconstruction in channeled linear imaging polarimetry is an underdetermined problem, where we measure N pixels and recover 3N Stokes parameters. We formulate an optimization problem by creating a mathematical model of the channeled linear imaging polarimeter with inspiration from compressed sensing. Through simulations, we show that our approach mitigates artifacts seen in Fourier reconstruction, including image blurring and degradation and ringing artifacts caused by windowing and channel cross-talk. By demonstrating more accurate reconstructions, we push performance to the native resolution of the sensor, allowing more information to be recovered from a single measurement of a channeled linear imaging polarimeter.

Field deployable pushbroom hyperspectral imaging polarimeter

Abstract. Hyperspectral imaging polarimetry enables both the spectrum and its spectrally resolved state of polarization to be measured. This information is important for identifying material properties for various applications in remote sensing and agricultural monitoring. We describe the design and performance of a ruggedized, field deployable hyperspectral imaging polarimeter, designed for wavelengths spanning the visible to near-infrared (450 to 800 nm). An entrance slit was used to sample the scene in a pushbroom scanning mode across a 30 deg vertical by 110 deg horizontal field-of-view. Furthermore, athermalized achromatic retarders were implemented in a channel spectrum generator to measure the linear Stokes parameters. The mechanical and optical layout of the system and its peripherals, in addition to the results of the sensor’s spectral and polarimetric calibration, are provided. Finally, field measurements are also provided and an error analysis is conducted. With its present calibration, the sensor has an absolute polarimetric error of 2.5% RMS and a relative spectral error of 2.3% RMS.