A Polarimetric Scanning LADAR: System Development and Performance Analysis

In this paper, we discuss the development and operation of a scanning LADAR system. This system currently generates intensity and range images of a target with high spatial resolution located at a distance 5–10 m away from the sensor. The scanning LADAR system is designed with a purpose to generate polarization images of the target by integrating an in-line Stokes polarimeter in the receiver arm of the system. In this context, we have also discussed the basic design of the polarimeter using a liquid crystal retarder, and characterized the performance of the polarimeter for determining the polarization state of reflected light in the LADAR receiver.