Evaluation and characterization of imaging polarimetry through metasurface polarization gratings.

Metasurfaces are a new class of diffractive optical elements with subwavelength elements whose behavior can be lithographically tailored. By leveraging form birefringence, metasurfaces can serve as multifunctional freespace polarization optics. Metasurface gratings are novel, to the best of our knowledge, polarimetric components that integrate multiple polarization analyzers into a single optical element enabling the realization of compact imaging polarimeters. The promise of metasurfaces as a new polarization building block is contingent on the calibration of metagrating-based optical systems. A prototype metasurface full Stokes imaging polarimeter is compared to a benchtop reference instrument using an established linear Stokes test for 670, 532, and 460 nm gratings. We propose a complementary full Stokes accuracy test and demonstrate it using the 532 nm grating. This work presents methods and practical considerations involved in producing accurate polarization data from a metasurface-based Stokes imaging polarimeter and informs their use in polarimetric systems more generally.

Broadband extended source imaging Mueller-matrix polarimeter.

An imaging Mueller matrix polarimeter, named the red-green-blue (RGB)950, takes images of medium-sized (tens of centimeters) objects by using a very bright source, large polarization state generator, and high-quality camera. Its broadband extended light source switches between red, green, blue, and near-infrared light to allow taking polarimetric images for comparison with RGB camera images. The large diffuse source makes shadow transitions gradual and spreads out the specular reflected spot into a larger less conspicuous area.