Broadband snapshot complete imaging polarimeter based on dual Sagnac-grating interferometers

A broadband snapshot complete imaging polarimeter (BSCIP), covering 400-700 nm, is presented. The device, which is based on two cascade Sagnac-grating interferometers, offers significant advantages over previous implementations. Specifically, with no moving parts, electrically controllable or micro-polarization elements, the broadband full polarization images of a scene can be acquired in a single frame. The operation principle of the system is explained by using the Mueller calculus. Optical efficiency and interference visibility are calculated. Finally, the device's validity is demonstrated by Stokes parameters measurement and polarimetric imaging test experiments. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement