Polarization discrimination for active imaging in scattering media

The results of a Monte Carlo computer simulation of active-illumination ima ging of surfaces immersed in a scattering media are presented. The simulati on is based on scattering by spherical or spheroidal Rayleigh particles and rigorously accounts for the polarization effects of the scattering process . Illumination with linear or circular polarization states and detection in the original and orthogonal polarization states are investigated. The obje ct surfaces are modelled as diffuse scatterers which either preserve or ran domize the polarization of the reflected light. The simulations clearly ind icate that, in some situations, polarization discrimination can be effectiv e in extending the depth of visibility. The effectiveness of this approach depends largely on the polarization properties of the surface to be imaged rather than the properties of the intervening scattering medium or the imag ing geometry. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.