Full-Stokes polarimetric light-field imaging using only a single detector

Abstract

Because light-field and polarization information contain much information of scenes, light-field and polarization imaging-systems can be used, e.g., for target detection, material classification, and biological analysis. However, most conventional systems rely on scanning or camera arrays, which tend to make the system both bulky and unstable. Here, we investigate a novel approach, snapshot polarimetric–volumetric imaging (SPVI), which introduces micro-polarization elements into the paradigmatic focused light-field imaging system. SPVI can simultaneously capture and reconstruct the light-field and polarization information of a scene using a single detector. The validity and accuracy of SPVI are determined via Stoke-parameter measurements and depth measurements. Compared to conventional polarimetric light-field imagers, SPVI excels with respect to compactness, robustness, and low cost. Moreover, this tool might enable new possibilities for polarimetric 3D analysis.