Polarimetric imaging with high spatial resolution

Despite its critical importance in many biomedical devices, the polarization of light is often neglected or considered as a problem to be contained. The reason is related to considerable challenges to measure it. In the present work, a simple motion-free method of detection of the polarization of light is developed based on a guest-host nematic liquid crystal cell acting like a weak switchable polarizer. The synchronized recording of transmitted light intensity for various cell switching states allows the calculation of Stokes parameters. The method does not use pixels nor traditional polarizers, thus providing very high spatial resolution and high light transmission. Theoretical basics and experimental conditions are first described, followed by the presentation of obtained preliminary experimental results and the discussion of a potential application of the proposed method in polarimetric 3D imaging. The demonstrated concept should pave the way towards a broad utilization of light polarization in biomedical, robotic and environmental photonic devices.