Image sensor with focal plane extraction of polarimetric information

A novel focal plane imaging sensor capable of real time extraction of polarization information is presented. The imaging system consists of a photo array of 256 by 256 linear current mode active pixel sensors (APS). Analog processing circuitry is included at the focal plane for noise suppression and computation of the Stokes parameters. The imaging sensor was fabricated in 0.18mum process with 10mum pixel pitch and 75% fill factor. An array of micro polarizer is designed and fabricated separately and is mounted on top of the imaging array. Simulation results of the imaging sensor are presented