Variable-retardance, Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeters for visible spectrum remote sensing

An imaging, variable-retardance, Fourier-transform spectropolarimeter is pr esented that is capable of creating spectropolarimetric images of scenes wi th independent characterization of spatial, spectral, and polarimetric info rmation. The device has a spectral resolution of similar to 225 cm(-1), mak ing it truly hyperspectral in nature. Images of canonical targets such as s pheres and cylinders obtained in a laboratory setup are presented. The resu lts demonstrate the capability of developing systems to collect spectropola rimetric data of field images by use of the concept of pushbroom scanning a nd serial collection of polarimetric information. Further development of a parallelized collection strategy would allow the collection of near-real-ti me images of real-world targets.