Infrared image and circular polarization image processing methods for high-concentration scattering environments

In high-concentration scattering media, low contrast often obscures the surface details and textures of target objects. This paper proposes a method to enhance imaging quality under such conditions using polarization imaging theory. The method involves image registration, estimation of environmental transmittance, calculation of the degree of polarization and polarization difference intensity, and application of the CLAHE method to improve detail visibility and obtain de-scattered images. Finally, a weighted adaptive wavelet transform based on edge detection fuses the de-scattered and infrared images. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms traditional approaches, particularly in high-concentration scattering environments, offering insights into combining infrared and polarized imaging for challenging scenarios.