Snap-shot Imaging Polarimeter: Performance and Applications

camera capable of obtaining single snap-shot, quantitative, polarimetric measurements is investigated to determine performance characteristics. The camera employs a micropolarizer array with linear polarizers oriented at 0, 45, 90, and, 135 degrees. Micropolarizer arrays with elements as small as 7.4 microns and arrays as large 4 million pixels have been fabricated for use across the visible spectrum. The pixelated polarization camera acquires the four polarization orientations in a single video frame, which enables instantaneous measurements of the linear Stokes parameters. Examples of calibration methods and the results of controlled experiments are presented. Error sources and methods for minimizing them are discussed and demonstrated. A practical example of measuring stress induced birefringence is demonstrated.