Snapshot LWIR hyperspectral polarimetric imager for ocean surface sensing

We are applying a novel LWIR (long-wavelength infrared: 8-12 micrometers) hyperspectral polarimetric imager to geophysical ocean surface sensing. The sensor is an embodiment of an invention by Aerodyne Research known as P-SIM (for Polarimetric Spectral Intensity Modulation). The design enables instantaneous "snapshot" spectropolarimetric imaging with perfect channel registration and full elliptical polarimetry. The optical polarimetry enables retrieval of the phenomenologically rich capillary wave structure morphology (roughness). The spectrally resolved polarimetry additionally allows disambiguation of downwelling from emitted components. Such data supports improved retrievals of sea surface temperature, emissivity, and surface wind vector. We discuss the sensor design, and the analytic means for the geophysical retrievals.