Detection of polarimetric signatures for enhanced target detection and recognition for homeland security applications

The purpose of this study is to explore backscattered polarimetric signatures from targets in a variety of experimental scenarios utilizing high-sensitivity detection techniques and Mueller matrix-rotating retarder polarimetric techniques. As a result different targets have been characterized and analyzed by means of their polarization signatures and optical cross section at wavelengths of 785 nm, 830 nm, and 980 nm. The experimental results of this study indicate that a degree of linear polarization (DOLP) signal produces significant enhancement over a backscattered light intensity signal. In addition, the optical cross section of backscattered light from targets can be significantly improved by using polarimetric principles.