Multiband Polarization Imaging

Abstract

Multiband polarization imaging is an emerging sensing method that enables simultaneous acquisition of multiband spectral and multiangle polarization information of an object of interest in the scene. Spectral signatures of the light reflected from a target reveal the characteristics of the material composing the target while polarized light provides useful information on the surface features such as light scattering and specular reflection. In multiband spectral imaging, combined spectral and polarization information offers a comprehensive representation of an object utilizing complementary spectral and polarization information in visual sensing. Multiband polarization imaging has demonstrated a potential in the recognition of targets in challenging operating environments such as low-contrast and hazy conditions. This paper presents the concept and recent advances of multiband polarization imaging techniques, in particular, a bioinspired multiband polarization vision system. Applications of multiband polarization imaging in various fields include atmospheric observation, object detection and classification, medical diagnostics, surveillance, and 3D object reconstruction.