Mark Pesses (Science Applications International Corporation), Eileen V. Ryan (New Mexico Institute Technology, Magdalena Ridge Observatory)
Keywords: NROC, Non-resolved Object Characterization
Abstract:
Polarimetric observations of space objects can provide information on shape, surface roughness and electrical conductivity that are very difficult or impossible to obtain from non-polarimetric data. This polarization information has the potential to enhance non-resolved imaging identification techniques by offering improved discrimination between objects as a valuable complement to hyperspectral and temperature signatures. Nature does not give up this extra information freely, as polarimetric data acquisition is more complicated and cumbersome than acquisition of intensity-only data. Stokes original paper reports that six separate observations are required to measure the four Stokes parameters. Researchers at AFRL/Kirtland recently showed that all four Stokes parameters can be measured via the Fourier analysis of the modulation of the intensity observed behind a rotating quarter-wave plate and a stationary linear polarizer. We present three new methods for measuring Stokes parameters that require a spinning polarizer and/or a spinning achromatic quarter-wave plate. Several applications of these new methods are discussed for obtaining spectropolarimetric data from space object-tracking telescopes. One application is “upgrading” multispectral sensors to spectropolarimeters.
Date of Conference: September 12-15, 2007
Track: Non-resolved Object Characterization