Polarimetric imaging of underwater targets

Alex Gilerson; Carlos Carrizo; Alberto Tonizzo; Amir Ibrahim; Ahmed El-Habashi; Robert Foster; Samir Ahmed

doi:10.1117/12.2018132

3 June 2013 Polarimetric imaging of underwater targets

Alex Gilerson, Carlos Carrizo, Alberto Tonizzo, Amir Ibrahim, Ahmed El-Habashi, Robert Foster, Samir Ahmed

Proceedings Volume 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V; 872403 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2018132
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Underwater imaging is challenging because of the significant attenuation of light due to absorption and scattering of light in water. Using polarization properties of light is one of the options for improving image quality. We present results of imaging of a polarized target in open ocean (Curacao) and coastal (NY Bight) waters. The target in the shape of a square is divided into several smaller squares, each of which is covered with a polarizing film with different polarization orientations or transmission coefficients was placed on a mirror and imaged under water by a green-band full-Stokes polarimetric video camera at the full range of azimuth angles against the Sun. The values of the Stokes vector components from the images are compared with the modeled image of the target using radiative transfer code for the atmosphere-ocean system combined with the simple imaging model. It is shown that even in clear water the impact of the water body on the polarized underwater image is very significant and retrieval of target polarization characteristics from the image is extremely challenging.

Citation Download Citation

Alex Gilerson, Carlos Carrizo, Alberto Tonizzo, Amir Ibrahim, Ahmed El-Habashi, Robert Foster, and Samir Ahmed "Polarimetric imaging of underwater targets", Proc. SPIE 8724, Ocean Sensing and Monitoring V, 872403 (3 June 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2018132

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