Differential distribution of some extracellular matrix fibers in an experimentally denervated rat megaileum

Absence of enteric neurons is associated with thickening of the intestinal muscularis externa in Chagas' disease. The thickening is due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells and increased extracellular matrix components. The influence of the nervous system on the structure of the smooth muscle cells and its associated matrix has been poorly investigated. An experimental model of denervation of the ileum in rats was performed by application of the surfactant agent benzalkonium chloride that selectively destroys the myenteric plexus. Three months later, ileal tissue samples were obtained and studied by histochemistry and transmission electron microsocopy. Sham operated rats were used as controls. The diameter of collagen fibrils was evaluated in electron micrographs. The histopathological analysis showed thickening of the muscular layer. The thin and weakly arranged collagen and reticulin fibers surrounding the smooth muscle cells, observed in control cases by Picrosirius polarization (PSP) stain method, corresponded to a population of loosely packed thin collagen fibrils of uniform diameters (mean=29.16 nm) at the ultrastructural level. In contrast, the thick and strongly birefringent fibers around the muscle cells, observed in the treated group, stained by PSP, corresponded to densely packed thicker fibrils with large variation in diameter (mean=39.41 nm). Comparison of the data demonstrated statistically significant difference between the groups suggesting that the replacement of loosely arranged reticulin fibers by fibrous tissue (with typical collagen fiber), may alter the biomechanical function resulting in impairment of muscular contraction.     

Synchronization of optical polarization conversion and scattering in chiral fibers

We demonstrate that polarization transformation and scattering in adiabatically twisted single-mode birefringent optical fibers is synchronized so that light in one evolving elliptically polarized mode is freely transmitted while orthogonally polarized light is scattered out of the fiber. Thus, linearly polarized radiation initially oriented along the fast axis of the untwisted fiber is transformed to circularly polarized light with the same sense of rotation as the twisted fiber and is scattered out of the fiber. When the fiber twist is first accelerated and then decelerated, the fiber becomes a broadband, low-insertion-loss, linear polarizer.     

Polarization-based range-gated imaging in birefringent medium:Effect of size parameter

We have investigated the effect of size parameter of the scatterer on the image quality obtained with polarization-based range-gated imaging in birefringent turbid medium. Both linearly and circularly polarized light were utilized for imaging.The simulated results indicate that the improvement of visibility is more pronounced using circularly polarized light for the birefringent medium composed of smaller-sized scatterers at lower values of optical thickness and the birefringent medium comprising larger-sized scatterers. In contrast, linearly polarized light provides better image quality for the birefringent medium composed of smaller-sized scatterers at larger values of optical thickness. The evolution of the polarization characteristics of backscattered light and target light under the conditions mentioned above was measured to account for these numerical results.     

Simple system for evaluating retardation of liquid crystal cells using grating type liquid crystal polarization splitters

We propose a unique optical system for measuring the retardation of birefringent films using a pair of liquid crystal (LC) gratings; that is, the examined birefringent films are inserted between two LC gratings. Because the LC grating functions as a polarization beam splitter for circularly polarized light, the proposed system is optically equivalent to the measurement system using a pair of two circular polarizers. First, the polarization splitting performance of the LC grating is discussed. It is found that a sufficiently high voltage (such that the retardation is less than a half wavelength) has to be applied for the almost pure circularly polarized diffracted light. Next, the measurement of the retardation of a homogeneous LC cell as an examined birefringent film was demonstrated using the proposed method. The proposed method is revealed to have the same measurement performance as that of the conventional method using a pair of linear polarizers and has an advantage that there is no need for the optic axis of the test birefringent specimen to be set at a specific angle.     

Polychromatic intensity point spread function of a birefringent lens

We study the intensity point spread function (IPSF) of a uniaxial birefringent lens sandwiched between two linear polarizers under broadband illumination having flat-top spectral profile. The optic axis of the birefringent crystal is perpendicular to the lens axis. For monochromatic input illumination, a low-power birefringent lens offers enhanced resolution under parallel-polarizers configuration and apodization under crossed-polarizers configuration with a single focus as well. At a relatively high value of birefringence parameter, the proposed system behaves as a double-focus lens. The present communication uses a novel technique to study the effect of polychromatic illumination on the imaging characteristics of birefringent lenses. The studies reveal that the imaging characteristics of the low-power birefrigent lens does not deteriorate considerably under polychromatic illumination. However, for a polychromatic beam with large bandwidth, the imaging behavior of the system having high birefringence parameter deviates appreciably from that under strictly monochromatic illumination. The said system even loses its inherent bi-focal nature due to depolarization of polarized polychromatic light upon passage through the birefringent crystal.     

Organization and quantification of the collagen fibers in bone formation during orthodontic tooth movement

The organic matrix of alveolar bone is composed fundamentally of type I collagen. Polarized light microscopy provides unique information about the structure, composition and polymerization degree of a variety of organic and inorganic tissues that is not available with other techniques. The aim of this research was to compare two methodologies of polarized light analysis for collagen organization in bone formation during orthodontic tooth movement and determined maturity of collagen over the time. Thirty Wistar rats were euthanized 3, 7 and 14 days after the NiTi unilateral closed-coil spring was stretched between the upper right first molar and the incisors. The control consisted by contra-lateral site. The first molar area was fixed, decalcified and histologically processed using picrosirius pigment. The collagen birefringence of bone turnover was analyzed by color percentage and phase retardation. We observed an increase in collagen fiber organization over time with two methodologies. The Pearson coefficient correlation indicated a strong relationship (0.76) among the two polarized light analyses. In summary, there is collagen maturation over 3, 7 and 14 days. We successfully evaluated the molecular organization, arrangement, degree of polymerization and maturation process of collagen fibers in bone turnover through color percentages and phase retardation.     

Visualization of mitotic HeLa cells by advanced polarized light microscopy

The conventional polarized light imaging system can observe sub-microscopic molecular order non-destructively, quantitatively and without labeling or staining. Recently, a more sophisticated version, Abrio imaging system, than the conventional polarized light imaging system, was developed. This advanced polarized light imaging system has simplified the process of birefringent imaging, higher sensitivity and accuracy irrespective of sample orientation. By performing time-lapse observations using the advanced polarized light microscopy, we visualized mitotic spindles, especially kinetochore microtubules, of HeLa cells. Moreover, we successfully visualized the detailed structure of several filament bundles, which possibly are components of the contractile ring. Here, we report the potential of advanced polarized light imaging systems for imaging mitotic HeLa cells and the new insights obtained during this microscopic study.     

AFM study of the extracellular connective tissue matrix in patients with pelvic organ prolapse

The method of atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used for the first time for morphological investigation of pathological changes in the extracellular matrix of skin connective tissue upon the prolapse of pelvic organs (common disorder among women). Skin samples of patients with clinically proven pelvic-organ prolapse and of patients that do not have any connective tissue related disease (control group) are investigated via AFM. The AFM study reveals that the extracellular matrix of the skin connective tissues from patients with pelvic-organ prolapse diverges from the normal in various organization levels including both micro- and nanotexture (packing of collagen fibers and fibrils, respectively). The results of AFM study of the normal and pathologically changed skin connective tissues are in good agreement with the data of clinical morphological analysis, which indicates the potential of AFM as an independent diagnostic tool.     

Scattered light measurement of the circular birefringence in a twisted single mode fiber

This paper reports the measurements of the twist induced circular birefringence in a single mode fiber by direct observation of the scattered light. The results agree well with earlier theoretical prediction. In addition, an analysis of the evolution of the polarization in a linearly birefringent twisted medium (applicable to weakly guiding single mode (fibers) is given using the coupled mode theory and Poincaré sphere representation.     

Faraday effect in glass fibers

Various types of glass fiber were studied to determine their suitability for transmitting linearly polarized light. Polarization and magnetooptical experiments were performed on index-gradient fibers. These fibers have birefringent properties as a result of mechanical stress created during fabrication. The interaction of double refraction and the Faraday effect in a longitudinal magnetic field is explained theoretically. The rule governing such fibers in industrial magnetic fields is that the Faraday rotation (φ < 5°/cm) per field length is always substantially smaller than the phase difference (δ_s = 57.2°/cm) per fiber length.     

一种新型光交错复用器的设计

提出了一种偏振光干涉型光交错复用器的新结构。其核心元件双折射模拟波片等效于双折射晶体波片，可以获得比一般双折射晶体大得多的等效双折射。该光交错复用器除了具有一般偏振光干涉型光交错复用器的稳定性好、可靠性高的特点外，特别具有隔离度更高和更容易实现各种大小频率间隔的优点。利用该结构设计了用于50GHz频率间隔波分复用信号的奇偶分离的光交错复用器，通带和阻带的平坦宽度均大于1／5周期，隔离度为～30dB。同时，对该器件在实际应用中的几个基本参量，如插入损耗、偏振相关损耗和成本等也作了分析和讨论。     

2D-Mueller-matrix tomography of optically anisotropic polycrystalline networks of biological tissues histological sections

A new technique of Mueller-matrix mapping of the birefringent structure of biological preparations of human organs tissues is suggested. The algorithms of reconstruction of average values and magnitude of fluctuations of the phase (birefringence) and amplitude (dichroism) of optically anisotropic structure of myocardium and connective tissue component of the vaginal wall histological section are proposed. The magnitudes and ranges of changes in the statistical moments of the 1st-4th order that characterize the distribution of average values and magnitude of fluctuations of birefringence and dichroism of the myocardium and connective tissue of the vaginal tissues histological sections were determined. Joint studies of distributions of the characteristics of phase and amplitude of the anisotropy of myocardium and connective tissue component of the vaginal wall tissues of different states were performed. The cases of various necrotic changes in the myocardium and pathological conditions of the vagina wall (prolapse of the genitals) are examined. Balanced accuracy of the method of Mueller-matrix polarization-phase and diffuse tomography of optically anisotropic polycrystalline networks in the differentiation of necrotic and pathological changes in human organs is determined.     

Interference method of measuring the extinction coefficient of birefringent optical fibers

The extinction coefficient of a birefringent optical fiber (the ratio between the radiation power output of the polarization mode and the radiation power transferred from this mode to another one) characterizes the capability of a birefringent fiber to retain the polarization state of the radiation. In relatively short birefringent fibers (1–100 m), the extinction coefficient may reach 10⁴–10⁶. Such high values of the extinction coefficient are difficult to measure by standard techniques (excitation of one polarization mode by an incoherent source with subsequent recording of the light intensity at the output of the analyzer). An interference method of measuring the extinction coefficient of birefringent fibers is suggested. It is based on using a coherent source and measuring interference oscillations caused by an additional phase modulation at the input of the fiber. This method does not require precise polarization matching between the laser source and fiber and considerably loosens requirements for the polarizer-analyzer extinction and resolution of the photodetector. As a result, using simple standard components (semiconductor laser, film polarizer, and photodetector), one can measure extinction coefficient as high as 10⁶. The suggested interference method of measuring the extinction coefficient of birefringent fibers receives a theoretical analysis, and experimental data obtained for 2- to 1000-m-long fibers are presented.     

Mapping local retardance in birefringent samples using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography

We proposed a method to extract depth-resolved local retardance in birefringent samples from conventional polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) that uses one circularly polarized incident light. Despite the wide use of such PSOCT systems in characterizing birefringent samples, the measured cumulative retardance does not represent the true cumulative retardance when optical axis varies with depth. A Jones calculus based algorithm was designed to derive the local depth-resolved retardance from conventional cumulative PSOCT results. The algorithm was tested in samples with homogeneous optical axis as well as samples with depth-dependent optical axis.     

非均匀微结构光纤中双折射现象的研究

报道了利用飞秒脉冲激光与非均匀微结构光纤相互作用中产生超连续光谱后在非均匀微结构光纤传输中双折射拍频现象的研究.利用35?fs的飞秒激光脉冲在高双折射微结构光纤中的传输过程中直接观察到了拍频现象.并利用有限元方法对该光纤进行了模拟计算分析，计算得出在600?nm处拍频长度为毫米量级.所得结果与实验一致. 关键词： 双折射效应 微结构光纤 超连续光谱 有限元法     

Interferences in Photodetachment of a Negative Molecular Ion Model

By employing a two-center model, the total and differential cross sections in the photodetachment of ``a negative molecular ion" are studied theoretically and obtained for the case of light polarization parallel to the molecular axis. We find that in contrast to the smooth behavior of the total cross section for perpendicular polarized light, the cross section for parallel polarized light shows an interesting oscillatory structure. The oscillations in the total cross section may provide a method to determine the distance between the two centers. We explain the oscillation in the total cross section as an interference effect using closed-orbit theory. We also calculated the detached-electron flux distributions on a screen placed at a large distance from the negative molecular ion. The distributions display multiple-ring-like interference patterns. Such interference patterns are similar to those in the photodetachment microscopy experiments.     

基于矢量光场的TeO2晶体旋光特性研究

矢量光场在其传输和与物质相互作用过程中,光场状态的时空演化区别于传统偏振光,具有独特的矢量化特征。研究了晶体二氧化碲（TeO₂）对于径向偏振矢量光场的调控特征,通过斯托克斯参量的测量,分析了3个晶体样品的偏振态演化规律,揭示了TeO₂晶体的旋光特性,表明其可以起到和双λ/2波片相同的偏振调控效果。研究结果有助于理解矢量光场在双折射晶体中的传输特性,促进矢量光场相关晶体器件的设计与应用。     

偏振光的χ矢量表示及应用

从Jones矢量的定义中引入了χ矢量,利用该矢量的定义给出了偏振光的χ矢量复平面表示,在该二维复平面上,确定了各个点与偏振光的态势相对应的关系.同时证明了与Jones矢阵的本征态有关的几个重要的结论:任何光学系统的Jones矩阵都有两个本征态;旋光介质的两个本征态是左旋和右旋圆偏振光;偏振器的本征态是两个正交的线偏振光;双折射介质的两个本征态是分别沿快、慢轴方向的线偏振光.     

双折射滤波器光谱透射率函数的平坦化优化计算

对于双折射偏振光干涉滤波器，提出了一种产生平坦化光谱透射率函数的傅里叶级数对比的搜索方法，可在较大的通带和阻带范围内寻找到抖动很小时的所有可能的晶体偏转角度的数值解。给出了三块双折射晶体结构的抖动不大于0．1％时的晶体偏转角度的数值解，讨论了晶体偏角和厚度的变化对透射率函数波形的影响。