Imaging spectropolarimeters for use in visible and infrared remote sensing

An imaging variable retardance, Fourier transform spectropolarimeter (VRFTSP) is presented that is capable of creating spectropolarimetric images of scenes with independent characterization of spatial, spectral, and polarimetric information. The device is used to image simple, canonical targets such as spheres and cylinders in a laboratory setup. The resulting images demonstrate the capability of developing systems to collect spectropolarimetric data of field images using the concept of pushbroom scanning and serial collection of polarimetric information, with the possibility of developing a parallelized collection strategy allowing the collection of near-real-time images of real-world targets.