Metasurface Polarization Optics and Imaging
Abstract
Polarization is a fundamental characteristic of electromagnetic radiation that describes the path an electric field sweeps in space. As such, its measurement is of great interest for remote sensing applications. Based on his initial work in metasurface enabled polarization sensing and imaging, the PI will carry out a broad research program in polarization optics consisting of three inter related efforts: 1) Polarization physics, 2) Camera and device design, and 3) Interpretation and data analysis. The first effort will focus on a new class of polarization sensitive devices enabled by metasurfaces and a perspective on Fourier optics they enable. The PI will develop new theoretical approaches and undertake fundamental studies of polarization sensitive nanostructures in order to develop a new class of diffraction gratings with unusual polarization properties. The second effort aims to improve the practical polarimeters and polarization imagers that can be realized with metasurfaces from an optical design perspective. In particular, the PI will develop integrated, metasurface based full Stokes and Mueller matrix polarimeters. The PI will also improve the design of metasurface based polarization imagers enabling spectropolarimetric metasurface polarization cameras and highly miniaturized polarization cameras. The third effort will apply machine learning approaches to the use and interpretation of polarization imagery. The PI will apply convolutional neural networks to the problems of inference based 3D reconstruction and material characterization using polarization imagery. This work will enable compact polarization resolved sensors that can be adapted to land , air , and space borne remote sensing platforms, providing new lightweight, flexible optical sensors in support of the USAF’s mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95501910135
Entities
People
- Federico Capasso
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- President and Fellows of Harvard College
- United States Air Force