Autocalibration full-Stokes imaging polarimetry using a polarization array

Abstract

We report and demonstrate full-Stokes imaging polarimetry via random retarder rotation (R3). The method adds an assistant imaging channel comprising a linear polarization array and point source to the classical full-Stokes imaging optical path. Further, an alternating iterative algorithm of the polarization information matrix is used to solve the rotation angle of the phase retarder to obtain the full-Stokes information of the imaging target. Theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and comparative experiments are conducted to verify that the proposed method can achieve accurate full-Stokes imaging measurements via R3. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a full-Stokes imaging method with high precision performance has been proposed that does not depend on accuracy of rotation angle.