Simple calibration procedure for a full-Stokes imaging polarimeter using a polarized camera

A simple calibration procedure and data-extraction process are presented for a full-Stokes imaging polarimeter using a polarized camera and a liquid-crystal variable retarder (LCVR). The LCVR is calibrated using combinations of measured polarization images with a horizontal linear polarizer as a sample. Then, the Stokes vector is measured using two images with two values of the LCVR retardance. The proposed calibration procedure is simple and robust and can be useful for real-time calibration in the field.