GOALI: Achromatic Visible and Near Infrared Full Stokes Imaging Polarimeter

摘要：非技术描述：传统的彩色相机使用红色、绿色和蓝色滤色器等小滤色器来测量不同像素的颜色信息。为了成像光的偏振态，偏振相机可以使用尺寸等于像素大小的小偏振滤光片。我们的研究包括开发能够工作在不同颜色和偏振态的新型滤光器。滤光片的尺寸只有几微米，直接放在图像传感器的顶部，形成一个偏振相机。偏振相机将使我们能够准确地成像偏振态，并使光学科学和工程中的新型成像应用成为可能。该项目支持本科生和研究生在材料科学、化学和光学方面的多学科研究和教育。技术描述：本项目的主要目标是(1)开发用于可见光和近红外光谱的液晶聚合物和二色性染料的消色差微偏振器和微延迟器的设计、材料和制造工艺，(2)利用光学滤光片构建偏振敏感焦平面阵列，以及(3)焦平面阵列在材料表征和分类中的应用。该研究将实现高空间分辨率、宽带宽、低损耗和高消光比的线、圆和椭圆偏振滤光片。我们的工作将推进偏振光学滤光片的基本设计和制作，以及新型偏振敏感焦平面阵列的构建、校准和测试。通过了解薄膜偏振滤光片的基本特性和工艺，我们的努力将促进新型和下一代高性能光学器件和组件的发展。将开展教育外展活动，鼓励和招募本地科学人才从事高级研究和教育工作。这项计划的结果将通过本科生和研究生课程进行交流，并通过网站、公开座谈会、期刊文章、课程材料和专利披露提供。与当地产业界的合作将加速这项技术的商业化。我们的研究结果将广泛影响NSF的几个项目，如化学(CHEM)、材料(DMR)，以及工程主管部门，如电气、通信和网络系统部门(ECCS)。具体地说，在ECCS的范围内，光电子、微纳光子学、显示技术、光子器件和集成等领域将得到很好的代表和服务。

Abstract: Nontechnical description:Conventional color camera uses small color filters, such as red, green and blue color filters, to measure color information at different pixels. In order to image the polarization state of light, a polarization camera can use small polarization filters with dimension equal to the size of the pixel. Our research involves the development of new optical filters that can operate at different color and polarization states. The optical filters have dimension of a few microns and are put directly on top of an image sensor to create a polarization camera. The polarization camera will allow us to accurately image polarization states and enable novel imaging applications in optical sciences and engineering. The project supports multidisciplinary research and education in materials sciences, chemistry and optical sciences to both undergraduates and graduates students.Technical description:The main objectives of this proposal are (1) development of the design, material and fabrication process of achromatic micropolarizer and microretarder using liquid crystal polymer and dichroic dyes for the visible and near infrared spectrum, (2) construction of polarization sensitive focal plane array using the optical filters and (3) applications of the focal plane array to material characterization and classification. The proposed research will enable the realization of linear, circular and elliptical polarization filters that have high spatial resolution, broad bandwidth, low loss and high extinction ratio. This type of arbitrary patternable filter currently does not exist and our work will advance the fundamental design know-hows and fabrication of polarization optical filters and the construction, calibration and testing of a novel class of polarization sensitive focal plane array. By understanding the fundamental properties and processing of thin film polarization filters, our efforts will lead to advancement of novel and next generation high performance optical device and component. Educational outreach will be performed to encourage and recruit local science talents for advanced research and educational purposes. The results of this program will be communicated through undergraduate and graduate curriculum and make available through websites, public colloquiums, journal articles, class materials and patent disclosures. The collaboration with local industry will accelerate the commercialization of this technology. The outcome of our research will broadly impact several of the NSF programs such as chemistry (CHEM), materials (DMR), along with engineering directorate such as the division of electrical, communications and cyber systems (ECCS). Specifically, within the scope of ECCS, the areas of opto-electronic, micro/nano photonics, display technology, and photonic devices and integration will be well represented and served.