Polarized optical coherence imaging in turbid media by use of a Zeeman laser

Abstract

A method that uses a Zeeman laser in conjunction with a Glan–Thompson analyzer to image an object in a turbid medium is proposed. A heterodyne signal is generated only when the scattering photons are partially polarized, and the spatial coherence is not seriously degraded after the signal propagates in the turbid medium. A system combining polarization discrimination with optical coherence detection to image the object in a scattering medium is successfully demonstrated. The medium is a solution of polystyrene microspheres measuring $1.072 \mathit{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ in diameter suspended in distilled water contained in a 10-mm-thick quartz cuvette. The advantages of this optical system, including better selectivity of the weak partially polarized scattering photons and better imaging ability in higher-scattering media, are discussed.

© 2000 Optical Society of America

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