Metal surface detection using division-of-focal-plane imaging polarimetry

Imaging polarimetry has emerged over the past decades as a powerful tool to reveal the information invisible in intensity image. This paper aims at the application of division of focal plane (DoFP) imaging polarimetry in metal surface inspection. We obtain the intensity image and polarimetric image of some metal components on which there are defects, including scratch, wear, crack and burr. Experiment shows that polarimetric imaging can reduce the effect of strong reflection and improve the defect/surface contrast. The polarimetric image is more effective for metal surface inspection than the traditional intensity image.