Depth selectivity for the assessment of microstructure by polarization studies

A polarimetric imaging system capable of continuously selecting imaging depth in a turbid media is demonstrated. The proposed system is based on the orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) technique, and is able to detect microstructure and microvessel. First, we compare the performance of four polarization imaging channels on a biological phantom, and find that there is a linear relation between the degrees of ellipticity and image contrast in co-linear/co-elliptical channels. In addition, the cross-linear channel has the best image contrast. We then prove the performance of depth selectivity of microvessel in a mouse ear. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America