Remote-sensing concept using polariscopy for orientation determination below the spatial resolution limit

摘要

We recently introduced a polariscopy method which can determine feature orientation below the diffraction limit. Measuring transmission at four linear polarisations (0,45,90,135°). information about the orientation of absorbers or patterns and features inside an object could be determined. This is applicable to transmitted/absorbed and scattered/reflected light as well, across the EM-spectrum. We investigate the feasibility of applying this technique to remote sensing satellites. Altimeters are able to determine many oceanographic parameters based on the surface height mapping (e.g., current directions, tidal waves etc). The nature of this measurement means the range and azimuth lateral resolution differs greatly, 100 km to 1 km scale. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data contains polarisation information and provides imaging of planetary surfaces. We aim to demonstrate the four polarisation technique in aerial imaging for recognition of feature alignment patterns which are beyond spatial resolution. Information from conventional intensity images (scalar) arc augmented by the revealed orientation (vectorial) demonstrated for transmission/scattering in the visible spectrum. Visible as well as SAR imaging and altimetry can benefit from this augmented resolution.