Enhanced Detection Through Obscurations using Optimized Temporal Polarization Imaging

Temporal fluctuations in polarization signature are maximized by forming linear combinations of polarization-sensitive intensity channels. These combination channels are also reduced in rank and therefore optimized for further processing. Temporal fluctuations are emphasized as a means to detect polarizing objects under heavy but weakly polarizing obscurations that would otherwise preclude detection in a traditional intensity image. The theoretical work, which is an expansion of previously published research, is demonstrated for three and four channel polarization imaging systems. Finally, the theory is tested through simulated examples using an empirical target obscuration model.