Enhancing Passive Non-Line-of-Sight Imaging Using Polarization Cues

Abstract: This paper presents a method of passive non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging using polarization cues. A key observation is that the oblique light has a different polarimetric signal. It turns out this effect is due to the polarization axis rotation, a phenomena which can be used to better condition the light transport matrix for non-line-of-sight imaging. Our analysis and results show that the use of a polarizer in front of the camera is not only a separate technique, but it can be seen as an enhancement technique for more advanced forms of passive NLOS imaging. For example, this paper shows that polarization can enhance passive NLOS imaging both with and without occluders. In all tested cases, despite the light attenuation from polarization optics, recovery of the occluded images is improved.