Differentiating characteristic microstructural features of cancerous tissues using Mueller matrix microscope

Polarized light imaging can provide rich microstructural information of samples, and has been applied to the detections of various abnormal tissues. In this paper, we report a polarized light microscope based on Mueller matrix imaging by adding the polarization state generator and analyzer (PSG and PSA) to a commercial transmission optical microscope. The maximum errors for the absolute values of Mueller matrix elements are reduced to 0.01 after calibration. This Mueller matrix microscope has been used to examine human cervical and liver cancerous tissues with fibrosis. Images of the transformed Mueller matrix parameters provide quantitative assessment on the characteristic features of the pathological tissues. Contrast mechanism of the experimental results are backed up by Monte Carlo simulations based on the sphere–cylinder birefringence model, which reveal the relationship between the pathological features in the cancerous tissues at the cellular level and the polarization parameters. Both the experimental and simulated data indicate that the microscopic transformed Mueller matrix parameters can distinguish the breaking down of birefringent normal tissues for cervical cancer, or the formation of birefringent surrounding structures accompanying the inflammatory reaction for liver cancer. With its simple structure, fast measurement and high precision, polarized light microscope based on Mueller matrix shows a good diagnosis application prospect.     

Two-dimensional depth-resolved Mueller matrix of biological tissue measured with double-beam polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

A double-beam polarization-sensitive system based on optical coherence tomography was built to measure the Mueller matrix of scattering biological tissue with high spatial resolution. The Jones matrix of a sample can be determined with a single scan and subsequently converted into an equivalent nondepolarizing Mueller matrix. As a result, the system can be used to measure the Mueller matrix of an unstable sample, such as soft tissue. The polarization parameters of a porcine tendon, including magnitude and orientation of birefringence and diattenuation, were extracted by decomposition of the measured Mueller matrix.     

Two-dimensional depth-resolved Mueller matrix characterization of biological tissue by optical coherence tomography

We built a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomographic system and measured the two-dimensional depth-resolved full 4 x 4 Mueller matrix of biological tissue for what is believed to be the first time. The Mueller matrix measurements, which we made by varying the polarization states of the light source and the detector, yielded a complete characterization of the polarization property of the tissue sample. The initial experimental results indicated that this new approach reveals some tissue structures that are not perceptible in standard optical coherence tomography.     

Measurements of structure-induced polarization features in forward scattering from collections of cylindrical fibers

Many applications in remote sensing, material sciences and biomedical field are characterized by a transition domain between single scattering and multiple-scattering regimes. This regime is described by typical polarization features which can be used to retrieve structural information. An electronically agile technique was used for measuring in real time the Stokes vectors of light incident on and emerging from an inhomogeneous medium. Subsequently, the Mueller matrix associated with the scattering medium is determined. We focus our attention on forward scattering from systems consisting of random as well as partially oriented long cylindrical fibers. We discuss the effects of: (1) shape of individual scattering centers, (2) structure parameter, and (3) optical density of the scattering medium. The anisotropic behavior of the structure function at different packing fractions determines nontrivial characteristics of the polarization transfer. The complex effective index of refraction can be polarization dependent as a result of the optical anisotropy due to both the shape of the individual scatterers and the structure characteristics of the scattering system. Some of the Mueller matrix elements are shown to be related to the optical anisotropy of the system for the case of long cylindrical fibers. The polarization efficiency, the structure parameter, and the packing fraction are used to quantify this relationship. We also found that some of the matrix elements are more sensitive to the degree of structural anisotropy and the packing fraction, while other elements are sensitive to structural non-uniformities across the investigated area.     

Laser polarimetry of the orientation structure of bone tissue osteons

A matrix method is proposed for describing polarization properties of biological tissues as an aggregate of uniaxial crystal structures. We investigated 25 μm-thick histological sections of compact bone tissue which provided single light scattering. It is shown that in this case there exists a unique relationship between the polarization parameters of the boundary laser field and the parameters of anisotropy and orientation of the structural elements of biological tissue. On this basis, contactless methods of laser polarimetry of histological sections of bone tissue have been proposed. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 52–55, January–February, 2000.     

Mueller matrix polarimetry for the characterization of complex random medium like biological tissues

The polarization parameters of light scattered from biological tissues contain wealth of morphological and functional information of potential biomedical importance. But, in optically thick turbid media such as tissues, numerous complexities due to multiple scattering and simultaneous occurrences of many polarization events present formidable challenges, in terms of both accurate measurement and unique interpretation of the individual polarimetry characteristics. We have developed and validated an expanded Mueller matrix decomposition approach to overcome this problem. The approach was validated theoretically with a polarization-sensitive Monte Carlo light propagation model and experimentally by recording Mueller matrices from tissue-like complex random medium. In this paper, we discuss our comprehensive turbid polarimetry platform consisting of the experimental polarimetry system, forward Monte Carlo modelling and inverse polar decomposition analysis. Initial biomedical applications of this novel general method for polarimetry analysis in random media are also presented.     

Calculations of the Mueller matrix for scattering of light from two-dimensional surfaces

Abstract

Results are presented of an analysis of the Mueller matrix parameters for the problem of scattering of light from two-dimensional rough surfaces. The Mueller matrix fully describes the polarization properties of the scattered light. It is shown, using symmetry arguments, that for normal incidence it is necessary to measure the Mueller matrix terms in only one plane, thus reducing the amount of data to be analysed. Examples of the form of the Mueller matrix terms are calculated using a simple ray-trace approach.     

Imaging and multiple scattering through media containing optically active particles

This paper examines the behaviour of polarized light scattered by a medium containing small chiral spheroidal particles. We show that for single scattering the observed phenomena of optical activity may be interpreted in terms of an averaged Mueller matrix and describe how the degree of polarization is affected by such a medium. The polarization properties of multiply scattered light by chiral particles are considered through the use of Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that the effects of chirality under multiple scattering can be interpreted as an order-preserving influence in a disordered system and that this influence can, in principle, be exploited for the purposes of imaging.     

生物组织多光谱偏振特性研究

生物组织内部结构复杂且具有较强的散射特性,而光作为生物组织检测的重要信息载体,其自身特性包括颜色、幅值、偏振等都对信息获取有较大的影响.结合偏振成像,对生物组织多光谱偏振特性展开了研究,依据不同微粒尺寸的分布建立了均匀单层生物组织模型,结合瑞利和米氏散射理论模拟了基于单个微粒的两种散射事件.瑞利散射具有较好的前向后向散...     

Influence of the order of the constituent basis matrices on the Mueller matrix decomposition-derived polarization parameters in complex turbid media such as biological tissues

The influence of the multiplication order of the constituent basis matrices on the Mueller matrix decomposition-derived polarization parameters in complex tissue-like turbid media exhibiting simultaneous scattering and polarization effects are investigated. A polarization sensitive Monte Carlo (MC) simulation model was used to generate Mueller matrices from turbid media exhibiting simultaneous linear birefringence, optical activity and multiple scattering effects. Mueller matrix decomposition was performed with different selected multiplication orders of the constituent basis matrices, which were further analyzed to derive quantitative individual polarization medium properties. The results show that for turbid medium having weak diattenuation (differential attenuation of two orthogonal polarization states), the decomposition-derived polarization parameters are independent of the multiplication order. Importantly, the values for the extracted polarization parameters were found to be in excellent agreement with the controlled inputs, showing self-consistency in inverse decomposition analysis and successful decoupling of the individual polarization effects. These results were corroborated further by selected experimental results from phantoms having optical (scattering and polarization) properties similar to those used in the MC model. Results from tissue polarimetry confirm that the magnitude of diattenuation is generally lower compared to other polarization effects, so that the demonstrated self-consistency of the decomposition formalism with respect to the potential ambiguity of ordering of the constituent matrices should hold in biological applications.     

Imaging and multiple scattering through media containing optically active particles

Abstract

This paper examines the behaviour of polarized light scattered by a medium containing small chiral spheroidal particles. We show that for single scattering the observed phenomena of optical activity may be interpreted in terms of an averaged Mueller matrix and describe how the degree of polarization is affected by such a medium. The polarization properties of multiply scattered light by chiral particles are considered through the use of Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that the effects of chirality under multiple scattering can be interpreted as an order-preserving influence in a disordered system and that this influence can, in principle, be exploited for the purposes of imaging.     

Characteristics of light scattering by normal and modified areas of skin tissue

Results from numerical calculations and experimental studies of the optical backscattering coefficients and changes in the polarization characteristics of normal and modified (birthmark, scar) skin tissue structures are presented. It is shown that determining the Mueller matrix is an effective way of detecting changes in the structure of skin tissue in vivo which reflects changes in the depolarization of light by an object for different polarization parameters of the incident (probe) radiation. The depolarization of light is found to be symmetric for normal areas of skin and antisymmetric for skin tissue with a modified structure. It is proposed that the polarization characteristics of scattered radiation be used in detecting damaged areas of skin tissue.     

Polarimetric characterization of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for bone substitute biomaterials

In this work the UHMWPE is characterized for their optical properties with Mueller matrix polarimeter. The transmittance birefringence, retardance, polarizance, linear and circular polarization and absorbance of polarized light at different wavelengths ranging 400-800 nm are measured. The presented Mueller matrix elements along with depth resolve polarization decrease in intensity with the change in the wavelength. Linear retardance increases compared to circular through highly scattering polyethylene. High refractive index and low mean free path; and close bonding of particles of material rotates the incoming photons and circular polarization which is dominant as compared to the linear one. Therefore the average intensity increases with both the optical depth and the scattered concentration in UHMWPE, which would accordingly decrease the apparent degree of polarization.The extracted results in terms of linear and circular retardances prove that UHMWPE is compatible, strong, and compact. This research work provides an optical characterization technique for bone substitute biomaterial in the health care industry.     

Measurements of diffuse backscattering Mueller matrices of turbid media

We report on the development of a method that records spatially dependent intensity patterns of polarized light that arise from illuminating a turbid media with a polarized laser beam and being diffusely backscattered. Our technique employs polarized light from a He-Ne laser () which is focused onto the surface of the scattering medium. A surface area of approximately 2×2 cm centered on the light input point is imaged through polarization analysis optics onto a CCD camera. The Mueller matrix is reconstructed by 49 intensity measurements with various orientations of polarizer and analyzer. The measured Mueller matrix of polystyrene spheres was compared with the theory result of incoherent scattering of light by spheres. The experimental and theory results are in excellent agreement. It appears that the azimuthal patterns of the Mueller matrix are determined by the symmetry of the turbid media.     

Hybrid complete Mueller polarimeter based on phase modulators

Optical properties of matter as diattenuation, retardance and depolarization can be evaluated using polarimetric techniques. In this paper, the analysis and implementation of a complete Mueller polarimeter is presented. The system is constituted of a polarization state generator (PSG) and a polarization state analyzer (PSA), which are controlled and synchronized through a computer program. The PSG comprises a dual liquid crystal variable retarder system while the PSA is based on a two-photoelastic modulator setup. Using air and common polarizing optics as test samples for calibration at 633 nm, the hybrid instrument met a good precision when the Mueller matrices of those optical elements were measured.     

Mueller matrix differential decomposition

We present a Mueller matrix decomposition based on the differential formulation of the Mueller calculus. The differential Mueller matrix is obtained from the macroscopic matrix through an eigenanalysis. It is subsequently resolved into the complete set of 16 differential matrices that correspond to the basic types of optical behavior for depolarizing anisotropic media. The method is successfully applied to the polarimetric analysis of several samples. The differential parameters enable one to perform an exhaustive characterization of anisotropy and depolarization. This decomposition is particularly appropriate for studying media in which several polarization effects take place simultaneously.     

Error in determining Mueller matrix elements and its effect on solution of the inverse problem of polarimetry

We present an analysis of the errors in measurement of the Mueller matrix elements in polarimeters that are a combination of different types of Stokes polarimeters in the detection channel and controllable polarization converters in the probing channel. As polarization converters for the probing radiation, we consider a phase plate having four different angular positions in measuring the complete Mueller matrix and a linear polarizer having different angular positions in measuring the structural parts of an incomplete 4 × 3 Mueller matrix. We have shown that the error in determining the Mueller matrix elements is distributed nonuniformly over the matrix. The nature of the error distribution over the elements and its values are different for different combinations of detection and probing channels of the polarimeter, and depend on the anisotropy of the test object. The latter dictates the choice of the optimal layout for a Mueller polarimeter for studying media with the same or different types of anisotropy and the choice of Mueller matrix elements used to solve the inverse problem of determining the anisotropy parameters.     

Recent advances in wavefront shaping techniques for biomedical applications

Due to the highly inhomogeneous distributions of refractive indexes, light propagation in complex media such as biological tissue experiences multiple light scattering events. The suppression and control of multiple light scattering events are investigated because they offer the possibility of optical focusing and imaging through biological tissues, and they may open new avenues for diagnosis and treatment of several human diseases. In order to provide insight into how new optical techniques can address the issues of multiple light scattering in biomedical applications, the recent progress in optical wavefront-shaping techniques is summarized.     

基于Mueller矩阵成像椭偏仪的纳米结构几何参数大面积测量

为了实现有效的工艺监控, 在批量化纳米制造中对纳米结构的关键尺寸等几何参数进行快速、低成本、非破坏性的精确测量具有十分重要的意义. 光学散射仪目前已经发展成为批量化纳米制造中纳米结构几何参数在线测量的一种重要手段. 传统光学散射测量技术只能获得光斑照射区内待测参数的平均值, 而对小于光斑照射区内样品的微小变化难以准确分析. 此外, 由于其只能进行单点测试, 必须要移动样品台进行扫描才能获得大面积区域内待测参数的分布信息, 从而严重影响测试效率. 为此, 本文将传统光学散射测量技术与显微成像技术相结合, 提出利用Mueller矩阵成像椭偏仪实现纳米结构几何参数的大面积快速准确测量. Mueller矩阵成像椭偏仪具有传统Mueller矩阵椭偏仪测量信息全、光谱灵敏度高的优势, 同时又有显微成像技术高空间分辨率的优点, 有望为批量化纳米制造中纳米结构几何参数提供一种大面积、快速、低成本、非破坏性的精确测量新途径.     

Optical-fiber-based Mueller optical coherence tomography

An optical-fiber-based multichannel polarization-sensitive Mueller optical coherence tomography (OCT) system was built to acquire the Jones or Mueller matrix of a scattering medium, such as biological tissue. For the first time to our knowledge, fiber-based polarization-sensitive OCT was dynamically calibrated to eliminate the polarization distortion caused by the single-mode optical fiber in the sample arm, thereby overcoming a key technical impediment to the application of optical fibers in this technology. The round-trip Jones matrix of the sampling fiber was acquired from the reflecting surface of the sample for each depth scan (A scan) with our OCT system. A new rigorous algorithm was then used to retrieve the calibrated polarization properties of the sample. This algorithm was validated with experimental data. The skin of a rat was imaged with this fiber-based system.