A Novel Fiber-based Cross-polarized Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging System

As a development from conventional Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT),polarization-sensitive OCT(PS-OCT) can utilize depth-dependent changes inpolarization state of detected light to determine the light polarization changingproperties of a sample. Cross-polarized image can provide both polarization-sensitiveinformation and a more clear sub-surface structure of the sample. As a result, gettingthe cross-polarized image by the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) becomemore and more popular.On the basis of the original work of our laboratory, this paper designed andimplemented a novel fiber-based cross-polarized optical coherence tomographysystem(CP-OCT), and lots of experimental work are carried out.1．A novel fiber-based cross-polarized optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT)system is implemented. The images of a glass slide, a4wave plate at awavelength of1310nm obtained with the system confirm that CP-OCT, which canprovide both polarization-sensitive and polarization-insensitive information of thesample.2．The expressions of both co-polarized and cross-polarized signals are derivedusing Jones matrix. And it is proved that the two cross-polarized signals of CP-OCTsystem are equivalent.3．Based on non-linear curve fitting and the Jones matrix theory, this work, forthe first time to our knowledge, present a method to measure the phase retardation andaxis of sample by using a fiber-based CP-OCT. The feasibility of this method hasbeen verified by measuring wave plates.4.2D CP-OCT images of in vivo skin are collected. The results are discussedwith the optical properties of biological tissues.5.2D CP-OCT images of in vitro teeth are collected. The results are discussedwith the optical properties of biological tissues.