VRP-LiDAR: A compact full-Stokes polarimetric LiDAR utilizing vortex retarders

Abstract

Full-polarization light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a powerful remote sensing technology that provides comprehensive information about object distance, material properties, surface texture, and orientation. However, existing full-polarization LiDAR systems typically rely on time-division or amplitude-division polarization schemes, requiring multiple measurements and computational processing to reconstruct the full-Stokes vector. This limits real-time performance and increases system complexity. Here, we present a compact full-polarization LiDAR, termed VRP-LiDAR, which leverages the spatial polarization modulation capability of a vortex retarder (VR) in conjunction with a polarization camera and a photodetector. This approach enables real-time, single-shot acquisition of both distance information and full-Stokes polarization data without requiring multiple exposures or moving parts. Experimental validation confirms the effectiveness of VRP-LiDAR, demonstrating its potential for compact and robust polarization-based target detection in remote sensing applications.