Hyperspectral imaging polarimeter in the infrared

The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University is building an infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Polarimeter (HIP). Designed for high spatial and spectral resolution polarimetry of backscattered sunlight from cloud tops in the 2.7 mu m water band, it will fly aboard the Flying Infrared Signatures Technology Aircraft (FISTA)(1), an Air Force KC-135. It is a proof-of-concept sensor, combining hyperspectral pushbroom imaging with high speed, solid state polarimetry, using as many off-the-shelf components as possible, and utilizing: an optical breadboard design for rapid prototyping. It is based around a 256x320 window selectable InSb camera, a solid-state Ferro-electric Liquid Crystal (FLC) polatimeter, and a transmissive diffraction grating.