Integrated Polarimetric Spectral Imaging Sensor Combining Spectral Imaging and Polarization Modulation Techniques

Polarimetric spectral imaging systems have unique application advantages in environmental remote sensing, military target recognition, astronomy, medicine, etc., because of their ability to acquire multidimensional information. However, traditional systems are constrained by complex structures and low spectral resolution, making them unlikely to achieve their full potential. This study proposes a novel polarimetric spectral imaging method for information acquisition to address these shortcomings. The method integrates a polarization modulator (composed of two retarders and one polarizer) into the incident optical path of a push-broom imaging spectrometer for hardware integration. The modulator statically encodes the full polarization spectral information of the measured light into output power spectra, which the spectrometer records as raw spectral image data. Target polarimetric spectral imaging information is then reconstructed from the raw data to realize sensor functions. The system structure, data reconstruction principles, laboratory experiments with typical polarized light sources, and preliminary outdoor experiments verified the system's correctness and reliability. The results facilitate further expansion of the application scope of polarimetric spectral imaging systems.