Work

Method for reducing specular reflections in Mueller matrix imaging

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mueller matrix polarimetry has emerged as a powerful tool for non-destructive optical analysis of biological tissues and bioorganic materials, offering detailed insights into polarization-specific properties such as diattenuation, retardance, and depolarization. However, the accurate application of Mueller matrix polarimetry in biological media is often hindered by specular reflections, which obscure signals from deeper tissue layers and degrade the sample visualization and the polarimetric data quality. Existing methods to minimize specular reflection have limitations, especially in clinical or in vivo settings where sample positioning is constrained. Here, we introduce a new approach for avoiding or reducing specular highlights without having to reduce light intensity. By using near-cross-polarization states between the polarization state generator and analyzer, we demonstrate that one can obtain an enhanced visualization of tissue structures, reduce the appearance of specular reflections, and maintain a good polarimetric contrast.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.557210

Authors: Iago Pardo, Subiao Bian, Esther Pascual, Oriol Arteaga

Language: English

Topic: Optical Polarization and Ellipsometry

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funder: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades

Awards: G3058826439, G5254643690, G7748525932