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The paper proposes a Wollaston-type crystal polarizer suitable for broadband operation within the visible spectral band up to the far infrared band based on unique optical materials, mercurous halides (Hg2X2). This paper introduces the general characteristics and optical properties of these birefringent tetragonal optical materials, as well as the general description of a Wollaston prism and the process of its parameter optimization. In general, the Wollaston polarizer is constructed from two combined wedge-shaped prisms. The key parameters that affect the properties of the Wollaston polarizer are then the cut angle of these two prisms and the refractive index of the exploited optical cement (immersion) that bonds the prisms together. The optimal prism cut angles and immersion refractive index are investigated to maximize the Wollaston parameters, such as the transmittance of the polarized radiation and the separation angle of the output orthogonally polarized beams. This process is significantly dependent on the characteristics of all selected mercurous halides (Hg2Cl2, Hg2Br2, Hg2I2). The optimal values of the prism cut angle for each material are selected based on the outlined results. In addition, the Wollaston prism behaviour regarding real radiation propagation is modelled in detail via the Zemax optical studio. The presented models aim to aid in the real design and fabrication of a broadband Wollaston polarizer based on mercurous halides.

An outburst of Draconid meteor shower was predicted for October 8 to 9, 2018. Using a variety of video and photographic cameras covering a broad range of magnitudes, the shower activity profile was measured. The main peak was observed at the solar longitude λ o = 195.359 ∘ ± 0.003 ∘ , what is equivalent to 23 h 07 . 5 m ± 5 m UT. This result is in good agreement with other reports as well as with the predictions. Two other sub-peaks or enhancements of the activity were detected later in the night. The maximum flux of meteoroids reached value of Φ 6.5 = 0.033 ± 0.007 meteoroids km−2 h−1 [MV> +6.5]. This is equivalent to ZHR ​= ​140 ± 30 which is higher than the majority of the models predicted. The analysis of the mass distribution index evolution and the comparison with other experiments suggests that the later activity was probably caused by the mixture of the different trails of the stream which were more dispersed. The flux of the meteoroids was three to four times smaller in comparison with the 2011 Draconid outburst. When comparing the radiants and velocities of the observed meteors with the model data, good agreement was found for the right ascension and velocity but a small offset of about +0.5∘ was observed in declination. On the other hand, the mean main peak radiant fits well the model of Maslov (2011) .

Modern photonic elements and systems are based upon novel optical materials. The material optical quality is a crucial parameter for any photonic application. The paper deals with the design and initial verification of optical quality evaluation system allowing fast near-mass-production evaluation of several qualitative parameters both spatially distributed and integral. The semi-automatic setup includes the schlieren-optics imaging, OFT (optical Fourier transform) imaging and integral metrics for overall quantitative assessment. Initial experimental results are demonstrated on mercurous chloride samples.

Interpolation methods face the issue of the specific content of the images. This paper is devoted to a comparison of interpolation methods suitable for small image content and its influence on improvement in the PSF estimation. The issue is that when the PSF is represented by only several pixels, the model of the system is not correctly optimized. Selection of the suitable interpolation method represents the main aim with consequences to the PSF model estimation.

A new generation of the WILLIAM (WIde-field aLL-sky Image Analyzing Monitoring system) camera includes new features such as monitoring of rain and storm clouds during the day observation. Development of the new generation of weather monitoring cameras responds to the demand for monitoring of sudden weather changes. However, new WILLIAM cameras are ready to process acquired image data immediately, release warning against sudden torrential rains, and send it to user's cell phone and email. Actual weather conditions are determined from image data, and results of image processing are complemented by data from sensors of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. In this paper, we present the architecture, image data processing algorithms of mentioned monitoring camera and spatially-variant model of imaging system aberrations based on Zernike polynomials.

Color grading of archive films is a very particular task in the process of their restoration. The ultimate goal of color grading here is to achieve the same look of the movie as intended at the time of its first presentation. The role of the expert restorer, expert group and a digital colorist in this complicated process is to find the optimal settings of the digital color grading system so that the resulting image look is as close as possible to the estimate of the original reference release print adjusted by the expert group of cinematographers. A methodology for subjective assessment of perceived differences between the outcomes of color grading is introduced, and results of a subjective study are presented. Techniques for objective assessment of perceived differences are discussed, and their performance is evaluated using ground truth obtained from the subjective experiment. In particular, a solution based on calibrated digital single-lens reflex camera and subsequent analysis of image features captured from the projection screen is described. The system based on our previous work is further developed so that it can be used for the analysis of projected images. It allows assessing color differences in these images and predict their impact on the perceived difference in image look.

Extremely wide-field imaging systems have many advantages regarding large display scenes whether for use in microscopy, all sky cameras, or in security technologies. The Large viewing angle is paid by the amount of aberrations, which are included with these imaging systems. Modeling wavefront aberrations using the Zernike polynomials is known a longer time and is widely used. Our method does not model system aberrations in a way of modeling wavefront, but directly modeling of aberration Point Spread Function of used imaging system. This is a very complicated task, and with conventional methods, it was difficult to achieve the desired accuracy. Our optimization techniques of searching coefficients space-variant Zernike polynomials can be described as a comprehensive model for ultra-wide-field imaging systems. The advantage of this model is that the model describes the whole space-variant system, unlike the majority models which are partly invariant systems. The issue that this model is the attempt to equalize the size of the modeled Point Spread Function, which is comparable to the pixel size. Issues associated with sampling, pixel size, pixel sensitivity profile must be taken into account in the design. The model was verified in a series of laboratory test patterns, test images of laboratory light sources and consequently on real images obtained by an extremely wide-field imaging system WILLIAM. Results of modeling of this system are listed in this article.

There are various deconvolution methods for suppression of blur in images. In this paper a survey of image deconvolution techniques is presented with focus on methods designed to handle images acquired with wide-field astronomical imaging systems. Image blur present in such images is space-variant especially due to space-variant point spread function (PSF) of the lens. The imaging system can contain also nonlinear electro-optical elements. Analysis of nonlinear and space-variant imaging systems is usually simplified so that the system is considered as linear and space-invariant (LSI) under specific constraints. Performance analysis of selected image deconvolution methods is presented in this paper, while considering space-variant nature of wide-field astronomical imaging system. Impact of nonlinearity on the overall performance of image deconvolution technique is also analyzed. Test images with characteristics obtained from the real system with space-variant wide-field input lens and nonlinear image intensifier are used for the performance analysis.

This paper is devoted to the application of the optical Fourier transform (OFT) for the study and evaluation of optical scattering in the latest generation of calomel single crystals ready for application in several possible devices such as IR polarizers and acoustooptic tunable filters (AOTF). There are numerous effects that are responsible for the scattering of optical wave passing through the crystal sample volume and surface layers because they affect the optical crystal quality. The scattering level is a crucial and limiting parameter in many technical applications of the evaluated crystal. The proposed approach is based upon the high dynamic range optical FT configuration, creating the amplitude spectrum in the focal plane and its spatial angular distribution analysis based on the spectrum sectorization. The optical scattering pattern was tested in nine locations within each crystal sample volume and on numerous crystal samples. The experimental results are presented and discussed.

This paper deals with evaluation and processing of astronomical image data, which are obtained by a wide-field all-sky image analyzing monitoring system (WILLIAM). The WILLIAM is an additional experimental camera for project MAIA equipped with wide field lens. The system can detect stellar objects as faint as 6th magnitude. Acquired image data are processed by an algorithm for stellar object detection and identification which is based on coordinates transfer function. Cartesian coordinates at the image data are transformed to horizontal coordinate system. This coordinate system allows searching in astronomical catalogues of stellar objects. This paper presents the components of WILLIAM, its measured electro-optical characteristics and some results of identification.

Additional monitoring equipment is commonly used in astronomical imaging. This electro-optical system usually complements the main telescope during acquisition of astronomical phenomena or supports its operation e.g. evaluating the weather conditions. Typically it is a wide-field imaging system, which consists of a digital camera equipped with fish-eye lens. The wide-field imaging system cannot be considered as a space-invariant because of space-variant nature of its input lens. In our previous research efforts we have focused on measurement and analysis of images obtained from the subsidiary all-sky monitor WILLIAM (WIde-field aLL-sky Images Analyzing Monitoring system). Space-variant part of this imaging system consists of input lens with 180 fi angle of view in horizontal and 154 fi in vertical direction. For a precise astronomical measurement over the entire field of view, it is very important to know how the optical aberrations affect characteristics of the imaging system, especially its PSF (Point Spread Function). Two methods were used for characterization of the space-variant PSF, i.e. measurement in the optical laboratory and estimation using acquired images and Zernike polynomials. Analysis of results obtained using these two methods is presented in the paper. Accuracy of astronomical measurements is also discussed while considering the space-variant PSF of the system.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the Universe. They are produced during the collapse of massive stellar-sized objects, which create a black hole and eject material at ultra-relativistic speeds. They are unique tools to study the evolution of our Universe, as they are the only objects that, thanks to their extraordinary luminosity, can be observed during the complete history of star formation, from the era of reionisation to our days. One of the main tools to obtain information from GRBs and their environment is optical and near-infrared spectroscopy. After 17 years of studies spectroscopic data for around 300 events that have been collected. However, spectra were obtained by many groups, at different observatories, and using instruments of very different types, making data difficult to access, process and compare. Here we present GRBspec: A collaborative database that includes processed GRB spectra from multiple observatories and makes them available to the community. The website provides access to the datasets, allowing queries based not only on the observation characteristics but also on the properties of the GRB that was observed. Furthermore, the website provides visualisation and analysis tools, that allow the user to asses the quality of the data before downloading and even make data analysis online.

Most of the classical approaches to the measurement and modeling of electro-optical imaging systems rely on the principles of linearity and space invariance (LSI). In our previous research efforts we have focused on measurement and analysis of images obtained from a double station video observation system MAIA (Meteor Automatic Imager and Analyzer). The video acquisition module of this system contains wide-field input lens which contributes to space-variability of the imaging system. For a precise astronomical measurement over the entire field of view, it is very important to comprehend how the characteristics of the imaging system can affect astrometric and photometric outputs. This paper presents an analysis of how the space-variance of the imaging system can affect precision of astrometric and photometric results. This analysis is based on image data acquired in laboratory experiments and astronomical observations with the wide-field system. Methods for efficient calibration of this system to obtain precise astrometric and photometric measurements are also proposed.