Obtaining and processing of Mueller matrix image

As the development of imaging technology, application of polarization information in this field has a wide-ranging appreciation gradually. Therefore, the way of extracting polarization information is particularly important. Mueller matrix, the coefficient matrix which shows the change of polarization state before and after light shining on object, not only has a closely relation to the material itself, but also contains quantities of polarization information. What's more, Mueller matrix has 16 elements each containing different information. Consequently, an adequate used on these information plays a catalytic role in target identification, information enhancement, as well as separation of target and background. Through presenting a method to acquire Mueller matrix image, a comparison was made with Dop(degree of polarization) information and at last the result indicated the value of Mueller matrix image in application of polarization imaging. The conclusion suggest that, compared with Dop image, the image processed by Mueller matrix has more integrity information, so as to provide a preferable foundation for pattern recognition later. © 2015, Editorial Board of Journal of Infrared and Laser Engineering. All right reserved.