Optical imaging based on time-resolved Stokes vectors in filamentous tissues

Time-resolved Stokes vector components of light transmitted through filamentous tissues were measured with a view to improving the imaging quality of optical images in such tissues. Temporal profiles of the Stokes vectors and the time-resolved degree of polarization (DOP) were calibrated to produce higher image quality than that of images based on time gating, polarization discrimination, or both. A thin chicken bone inserted into chicken breast tissue with filament orientation in different directions with respect to the direction of input linear polarization was scanned to demonstrate images of higher spatial resolution and contrast based on the measurement of time-resolved DOP. © 2003 Optical Society of America.