Partial polarization signature results from the field testing of the SHallow water Real-time IMaging polarimeter (SHRIMP)

Abstract

Research has shown that essentially all naturally occurring light outdoor's and underwater is partially linearly polarized. The polarized components can be combined to form an image that describes the polarization of the light in the scene. This image is known as the degree of linear polarization image or partial polarization image. Naturally occurring polarization signatures have the potential to provide a diver or an unmanned underwater vehicle with the information necessary to detect, classify, and identify threats such as obstacles or mines in the shallow water environment. The SHallow water Real-time IMaging Polarimeter (SHRIMP) has recently been designed and developed to measure the underwater partial polarization of targets. This camera is a passive, three-channel device that simultaneously measures the three components of the Stokes vector needed to determine the partial linear polarization of the scene. Testing of this sensor has been ongoing. This paper presents the results of the laboratory characterization and performance results from the field testing that quantify the partial polarization signature of targets in the very shallow water and surf zone regions.