Depolarization index from Mueller matrix descatters imaging in turbid water

Polarization underwater imaging is of great potential to target detection in turbid water. Typical methods are challenged by the requirement on degrees of polarization (DoPs) of both target light and backscattering. A polarization descattering imaging method was developed using the Mueller matrix, which in turn derived a depolarization (Dep) index from the Mueller matrix to characterize scattering media by estimating the transmittance map by combining a developed optimal function. By quantifying light attenuation with the transmittance map, a clear vision of targets can be recovered. Only using the information of scattering media, the underwater vision under diverse water turbidity was enhanced by the results of experimental data.

Automated summary

A polarization descattering imaging method was developed using the Mueller matrix, which estimated a transmittance map to recover clear target vision. Experimental results showed that this method can enhance underwater vision under different water turbidity.