Integrated Real-Time Polarization Image Sensor Based on UV-NIL and Calibration Method

Polarization image could reveal detailed information that is submerged in conventional intensity images. In order to obtain the polarization image of the target immediately, an integrated polarization sensor with real-time processing capability was constructed. The integrated polarization sensor composed of polarization-dependent module and processing unit. For modulate intensity, a kind of fabrication process based on ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) was proposed to integrate micro-polarizer arrays on packaged CMOS sensor. FPGA was used as processing unit to demodulate, reconstruct and display polarization image in real time. Considering the actual fabrication process, a calibration method based on discrete Fourier transform and relative entropy was proposed to improve the reliability of the sensor. The proposed calibration model has well versatility on various polarization devices. This article provided a cost-effective and compatible integration process for polarization image sensors.