1. Apparatus for obtaining data concerning the characteristics of objects within a field of view comprising: means for directing electromagnetic waves from object points onto a plurality of assemblies wherein each said assembly responds only to said waves originating from a respective object point, with each said assembly including: a first linear polarizer element and a first means to detect said waves passing through said first polarizing element, a second linear polarizer element which transmits said waves with polarization different from said waves transmitted through said first polarizing element and a second means for detecting said waves passing through said second polarizing element, a third linear polarizer element which transmits said waves with polarization different from said waves transmitted through said first polarizing element and through said second polarizing element and a third means for detecting said waves passing through said third polarizing element, means for combining signals from said first detection means and said second detection means and said third detection means to yield output signals corresponding to data including at least one of intensity, percent of polarization, and angle of polarization of said waves incident on said assembly.