Understanding the Function of Circular Polarisation Vision in Mantis Shrimps: Building a C-Pol Camera
Abstract
Report coversplans to construct a Mini-DV video camera capable of imaging C-Pol light, put this is an underwater housing and make field observations of both natural objects and man-made targets in the habitat of stomatopods. The camera system is a modified version of one already in use for imaging linear polarised light. Here a LCD switch-plate system, placed in front of the camera and capable of rotating the plane of incoming polarised light into 2 orthogonal directions (ie vertical and horizontal) has been synched to the frame rate of a video camera. As a result, alternate frames are views of the world through V and H polarising filters. Objects that appear to flicker (differ in intensity) between frames, are therefore reflecting or transmitting polarised light (seen differentially by the alternating V and H views of the world). This system will be modified using a switchable 1/4 wave plate and linear polarising filter to give frames seem through alternating R and L - handed circular polarising filters. Again, flickering objects or areas in frame varying in intensity between frames will indicate C-polarisation activity. Furthermore, analysis of alternate frames can be used to attempt image contrast enhancement, another possible advantage of C-polarisation vision.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 24, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA488110
Entities
People
- Justin Marshall
Organizations
- University of Queensland