Video polarimetry: a new imaging technique in atmospheric science

Abstract

An imaging polarimeter has been built to study the polarization of solar radiation (λ = 550 nm) scattered and reflected from the natural environment. The instrument generates false color images as multiparameter display of the degree of polarization, azimuth of polarization, and the radiance. These video signals can be digitized into a computer-compatible format. As an example of application, the polarization properties of light reflected from a lake and its environment are discussed here.