Polarization imaging of a 3D object by use of digital holography and its application

Abstract

A polarimetric imaging method of a 3D object by use of on-axis phase-shifting digital holography is presented. The polarimetric image results from a combination of two kinds of holographic imaging using orthogonal polarized reference waves. Experimental demonstration of a 3D polarimetric imaging is presented. Pattern recognition by use of polarimetric phase-shifting digital holography is also presented. Using holography, the amplitude and phase difference distributions between two orthogonal polarizations of 3D phase objects are obtained. This information contains both complex amplitude and polarimetric characteristics of the object, and it can be used for improving the discrimination capability of object recognition. Preliminary experimental results are presented to demonstrate the idea.