Spatial frequency domain Mueller matrix imaging

Published

December 14, 2022

Author(s)

Joseph Chue-Sang, Maritoni Litorja, Aaron Goldfain, Thomas A. Germer

Abstract

Significance: Mueller matrix polarimetry (MMP) and spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) are wide-field optical imaging modalities that differentiate tissue primarily by structure alignment and photon transport coefficient, respectively. Because these effects can be related, combining MMP and SFDI may enhance tissue differentiation beyond the capability of each modality alone. Aim: An instrument was developed to combine MMP and SFDI with the goal of testing whether it enhances contrast of features in reflection mode. Approach: The instrument, employing liquid crystal elements for polarization control, a digital light processing projector for generating sinusoidal illumination patterns, and a digital camera for imaging was constructed. A theoretical analysis shows that the spatial frequency domain Mueller matrix is complex-valued and does not follow the same behavior as a regular Mueller matrix. Images were acquired from an anisotropic tissue phantom, an optical fiber bundle, and cerebellum, thalamus, and cerebrum tissues. Results: The measurement results suggest that singly scattered, few scattered, and diffusely scattered photon paths can be distinguished in some of the samples investigated. The combined imaging modality yields additional spatial frequency phase information, which highlights paths having only a few scattering events. Conclusions: The combination of MMP and SFDI offers contrast mechanisms inaccessible by each modality used alone.

Citation

Journal of Biomedical Optics

Volume

27

Issue

12

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.27.12.126003

Local Download

Keywords

biomedical imaging, Mueller matrix, polarimetry, spatial frequency domain imaging

Citation

Chue-Sang, J. , Litorja, M. , Goldfain, A. and Germer, T. (2022), Spatial frequency domain Mueller matrix imaging, Journal of Biomedical Optics, [online], https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.27.12.126003, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935235 (Accessed April 26, 2024)