Single-frame polarization measurement techniques

This paper will describe methods of measuring all of the components of the Stokes polarization vector for each pixel in a scene using only one frame of passive optical sensor data, one radar pulse, or one radiometer integration interval. Both active and passive sensors operating in any waveband from microwave to visible will be considered. For systems operating in the millimeter wave and terahertz bands, the techniques developed by Dereniak and his students at the University of Arizona will be discussed. For other wavebands, a technique developed by the author that requires the coherent reception of two orthogonally-polarized signal components will be presented. This latter method works for both for both broad-band and narrow-band active or passive signals, but requires focal planes and hardware in the visible and infrared bands that may be too complicated for many applications. Results of calculations made for the millimeter and terahertz bands will be presented.