Depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation measurements with fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Opt Lett. 2004 Sep 1;29(17):2025-7. doi: 10.1364/ol.29.002025.

Abstract

Conventional polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can provide depth-resolved Stokes parameter measurements of light reflected from turbid media. A new algorithm that takes into account changes in the optical axis is introduced to provide depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation images by use of fiber-based PS-OCT. Quaternion, a convenient mathematical tool, is used to represent an optical element and simplify the algorithm. Experimental results with beef tendon and rabbit tendon and muscle show that this technique has promising potential for imaging the birefringent structure of multiple-layer samples with varying optical axes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Animals
  • Anisotropy
  • Birefringence
  • Cattle
  • Culture Techniques
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation
  • Fiber Optic Technology / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Microscopy, Polarization / instrumentation
  • Microscopy, Polarization / methods*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology*
  • Rabbits
  • Tendons / cytology*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / instrumentation
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*