Depth-sensitive imaging via polarization-state mapping

A method for imaging a scene in three dimensions, the scene comprising a surface, the method comprising:

• projecting a polarized illumination onto the surface;
• capturing an image of the scene by detecting light from the scene, in which image a polarization state of the light is encoded, the light including a portion of the polarized illumination reflected from the surface;
• and
• analyzing the image to generate output responsive to a distance between the light source and the surface based on the image.

A depth-sensitive imager for imaging a scene in three dimensions, the scene comprising a surface, the depth-sensitive imager comprising:

• a laser configured to project onto the surface a polarized illumination comprising a plurality of polarized features spaced apart from each other;
• a camera configured to capture an image of the scene by detecting light from the scene, in which image a degree of polarization of the light is encoded, the light including a portion of the polarized illumination reflected from the surface;
• and
• an analyzer configured to triangulate a distance between the laser and the surface based on a spacing between adjacent polarized features in the image and further based on an angle between the adjacent polarized features in the polarized illumination.