VIIRS polarization sensitivity testing and analysis

Eric C. Fest

doi:10.1117/12.828154

11 August 2009 VIIRS polarization sensitivity testing and analysis

Eric C. Fest

Proceedings Volume 7461, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing IV; 746102 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828154
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A requirement for the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is that its polarization sensitivity be 3% or less for all VISNIR bands (412-865 nm). A test using a rotating polarizer sheet was performed on the sensor to validate this requirement, and though the test results show that the requirement is met, they also show a large variation in this polarization sensitivity (as much as 2%) across the field of view (FOV) in track. Though this result is unexpected, it may be the result of natural variations in the diattenuation and retardance of the VIIRS optics as a function of field angle. To test this theory, a raytracing model of the system was constructed using measured ellipsometric data from the VIIRS optics, and the polarization sensitivity of the model was computed. Using the nominal ellipsometric data, good correlation between the predicted and measured polarization sensitivity was not achieved. However, by applying small variations to the ellipsometric data as a function of position on the optics, it was possible to achieve good correlation. This paper gives the details of the sensor polarization sensitivity measurements, ellipsometric measurements, and raytracing analysis.

Citation Download Citation

Eric C. Fest "VIIRS polarization sensitivity testing and analysis", Proc. SPIE 7461, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing IV, 746102 (11 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828154

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