Kristan P. Gurton

Measured comparison of the crossover periods for mid- and long-wave IR (MWIR and LWIR) polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery

We report the results of a multi-day diurnal study in which polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery is recorded in the mid- and long-wave IR to identify and compare the respective time periods in which minimum target contrast is achieved. The data shows that the chief factors affecting polarimetric contrast in both wavebands are the amount of thermal emission from the objects in the scene and the abundance of MWIR and LWIR sources in the optical background. In particular, it has been observed that the MWIR polarimetric contrast was positively correlated to the presence of MWIR sources in the optical background, while the LWIR polarimetric contrast was negatively correlated to the presence of LWIR sources in the optical background.

Measured infrared spectral extinction for aerosolized Bacillus subtilis var. niger endospores from 3 to 13 µm

We measured spectral extinction in situ for aerosolized Bacillus subtilis var. niger endospores using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy from 3.0 to 13.0 mum. Corresponding aerosol size distributions were measured with a commercially available elastic light-scattering probe and verified by direct particle capture and subsequent counting by video microscopy. Aerosol mass density was monitored simultaneously with conventional dosimetry and was used to mass normalize the measured spectral extinction. Mie theory calculations based on measured distributions and available complex indices of refraction agreed well. We also present resultant Mie calculations for the absorption, total scattering, and backscatter. For comparison, measured spectral extinction for three common environmental aerosols is also presented, i.e., for water fog, diesel soot, and Arizona road dust.

Improving cross-modal face recognition using polarimetric imaging.

We investigate the performance of polarimetric imaging in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum for cross-modal face recognition. For this work, polarimetric imagery is generated as stacks of three components: the conventional thermal intensity image (referred to as S0), and the two Stokes images, S1 and S2, which contain combinations of different polarizations. The proposed face recognition algorithm extracts and combines local gradient magnitude and orientation information from S0, S1, and S2 to generate a robust feature set that is well-suited for cross-modal face recognition. Initial results show that polarimetric LWIR-to-visible face recognition achieves an 18% increase in Rank-1 identification rate compared to conventional LWIR-to-visible face recognition. We conclude that a substantial improvement in automatic face recognition performance can be achieved by exploiting the polarization-state of radiance, as compared to using conventional thermal imagery.

Effect of surface roughness and complex indices of refraction on polarized thermal emission

We present a series of measurements characterizing the dependence of polarized thermal emission on surface roughness. In particular, we measure the spectrally resolved degree of linear polarization (DOLP) for a series of roughened borosilicate (Pyrex) glass substrates as a function of the roughness parameter Ra, the root-mean-square slope distribution, and observation angle theta. Also measured are a series of smooth glass substrates coated with two particular polymers of interest, i.e., a common commercially available Krylon paint and a chemical-agent-resistant coating paint. The DOLP is measured over a 4-13 microm wave band by using a modified Fourier transform IR spectrometer in which a wire-grid polarizer and a quarter-wave Fresnel rhomb are used in conjunction to measure all four Stokes parameters. In addition, we show an enhanced DOLP due to anomalous dispersion exhibited by the surface material.

Three-dimensional facial recognition using passive long-wavelength infrared polarimetric imaging

We use a polarimetric camera to record the Stokes parameters and the degree of linear polarization of long-wavelength infrared radiation emitted by human faces. These Stokes images are combined with Fresnel relations to extract the surface normal at each pixel. Integrating over these surface normals yields a three-dimensional facial image. One major difficulty of this technique is that the normal vectors determined from the polarizations are not unique. We overcome this problem by introducing an additional boundary condition on the subject. The major sources of error in producing inversions are noise in the images caused by scattering of the background signal and the ambiguity in determining the surface normals from the Fresnel coefficients.

In situ infrared aerosol spectroscopy for a variety of nerve agent simulants using flow-through photoacoustics

We present newly measured results of an ongoing experimental program established to measure optical cross sections in the mid- and long-wave infrared for a variety of chemically and biologically based aerosols. For this study we consider only chemically derived aerosols, and in particular, a group of chemical compounds often used as simulants for the detection of extremely toxic organophosphorus nerve agents. These materials include: diethyl methylphosphonate (DEMP), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). As reported in a prior study [Appl. Opt. 44, 4001 (2005)], we combine two optical techniques well suited for aerosol spectroscopy [i.e., flow-through photoacoustics and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) emission spectroscopy], to measure in situ the absolute extinction and absorption cross sections over a variety of wavelengths spanning the IR spectral region from 3 to 13 mum. Aerosol size distribution(s), particle number density, and dosimetric measurements are recorded simultaneously in order to present optical cross sections that are aerosol mass normalized, i.e., m(2)/gram. Photoacoustic results, conducted at a series of CO(2) laser lines, compare well with measured broadband FTIR spectral extinction. Both FTIR and photoacoustic data also compare well with Mie theory calculations based on measured size distributions and previously published complex indices of refraction.

Measured infrared optical cross sections for a variety of chemical and biological aerosol simulants.

We conducted a series of spectral extinction measurements on a variety of aerosolized chemical and biological simulants over the spectral range 3-13 microm using conventional Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) aerosol spectroscopy. Samples consist of both aerosolized particulates and atomized liquids. Materials considered include Bacillus subtilis endospores, lyophilized ovalbumin, polyethylene glycol, dimethicone (SF-96), and three common background materials: kaolin clay (hydrated aluminum silicate), Arizona road dust (primarily SiO2), and diesel soot. Aerosol size distributions and mass density were measured simultaneously with the FTIR spectra. As a result, all optical parameters presented here are mass normalized, i.e., in square meters per gram. In an effort to establish the utility of using Mie theory to predict such parameters, we conducted a series of calculations. For materials in which the complex indices of refraction are known, e.g., silicone oil (SF-96) and kaolin, measured size distributions were convolved with Mie theory and the resultant spectral extinction calculated. Where there was good agreement between measured and calculated extinction spectra, absorption, total scattering, and backscatter were also calculated.

Remote detection of buried land-mines and IEDs using LWIR polarimetric imaging

We report results of an ongoing study designed to assess the ability for enhanced detection of recently buried land-mines and/or improvised explosive devices (IED) devices using passive long-wave infrared (LWIR) polarimetric imaging. Polarimetric results are presented for a series of field tests conducted at various locations and soil types. Well-calibrated Stokes images, S0, S1, S2, and the degree-of-linear-polarization (DoLP) are recorded for different line-of-sight (LOS) slant paths at varying distances. Results span a three-year time period in which three different LWIR polarimetric camera systems are used. All three polarimetric imaging platforms used a spinning-achromatic-retarder (SAR) design capable of achieving high polarimetric frame rates and good radiometric throughput without the loss of spatial resolution inherent in other optical designs. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis and a standardized contrast parameter are used to compare detectability between conventional LWIR thermal and polarimetric imagery. Results suggest improved detectability, regardless of geographic location or soil type.

Spatial filtering technique to image and measure two-dimensional near-forward scattering from single particles.

This work describes the design and use of an optical apparatus to measure the far-field elastic light-scattering pattern for a single particle over two angular-dimensions. A spatial filter composed of a mirror with a small through-hole is used to enable collection of the pattern uncommonly close to the forward direction; to within tenths of a degree. Minor modifications of the design allow for the simultaneous measurement of a particles image along with its two-dimensional scattering pattern. Example measurements are presented involving single micrometer-sized glass spherical particles confined in an electrodynamic trap and a dilute suspension of polystyrene latex particles in water. A small forward-angle technique, called Guinier analysis, is used to determine a particle-size estimate directly from the measured pattern without a priori knowledge of the particle refractive index. Comparison of these size estimates to those obtained by fitting the measurements to Mie theory reveals relative errors low as 2%.

A Polarimetric Thermal Database for Face Recognition Research

We present a polarimetric thermal face database, the first of its kind, for face recognition research. This database was acquired using a polarimetric longwave infrared imager, specifically a division-of-time spinning achromatic retarder system. A corresponding set of visible spectrum imagery was also collected, to facilitate crossspectrum (also referred to as heterogeneous) face recognition research. The database consists of imagery acquired at three distances under two experimental conditions: neutral/baseline condition, and expressions condition. Annotations (spatial coordinates of key fiducial points) are provided for all images. Cross-spectrum face recognition performance on the database is benchmarked using three techniques: partial least squares, deep perceptual mapping, and coupled neural networks.