Fundamental limits on polarization resolution of a two-point target

Jerzy Nowakowski

doi:10.1117/12.157797

22 October 1993 Fundamental limits on polarization resolution of a two-point target

Jerzy Nowakowski

Proceedings Volume 1954, Signal and Data Processing of Small Targets 1993; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.157797
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the estimation of separation and polarization characteristics for a two point target from interferogram when laser backscattered radiation is collected with an incoherent array of polarization sensitive detectors. We establish fundamental limits on the resolution of such a system and obtain a quantitative understanding of the dependence of estimation accuracy on target separation, polarization state and number of photons available. The results obtained in semiclassical limit include Poisson photon statistics. The performance of various estimators is evaluated by utilizing the Cramer-Rao bound, for both signal and background shot noise limited conditions. The results presented are applicable to laser radars, discrimination of closely spaced objects, and provide a better understanding of the system when spatial polarization coding of source is used to transmit information.

Citation Download Citation

Jerzy Nowakowski "Fundamental limits on polarization resolution of a two-point target", Proc. SPIE 1954, Signal and Data Processing of Small Targets 1993, (22 October 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.157797

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