Imaging of polarimetric-phase object through scattering medium by phase shifting

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Image Processing
• Scattering Media Imaging

Background:

• Light scattering in media creates random speckle fields, obscuring encoded information.
• Direct retrieval of information from fluctuating speckle fields is challenging.
• Imaging polarimetric-phase objects behind scattering media requires advanced techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and experimentally demonstrate a method for imaging polarimetric-phase objects through scattering media.
• To utilize two-point intensity correlation and phase-shifting techniques for enhanced imaging.
• To develop a method that avoids mechanical rotation of polarization elements.

Main Methods:

• Exploiting the relationship between two-point intensity correlation and polarized source structure.
• Replacing traditional interference intensity with the Fourier transform of intensity cross-covariance for polarimetric phase determination.
• Comparing three phase-shifting techniques for imaging polarimetric-phase objects.
• Evaluating performance on unstable platforms and with dynamic diffusers.

Main Results:

• Successful imaging of polarimetric-phase objects was demonstrated.
• The proposed method showed robustness on unstable platforms.
• Consistent results were obtained with dynamic diffusers compared to fixed diffusers.
• The technique confirmed applicability in challenging, unstable environments.

Conclusions:

• The proposed intensity-correlation-based technique effectively images polarimetric-phase objects through scattering media.
• The method is advantageous due to its independence from mechanical polarization element rotation.
• The technique is suitable for dynamic diffusers and unstable environments, broadening its practical applications.