Compact common-path polarization holography for measurement of the Jones matrix of polarization-sensitive materials

Abstract

A compact common-path off-axis digital holographic imaging method is proposed utilizing polarization-angular-multiplexing for Jones matrix measurement. Our method employs a common-path off-axis configuration to capture multiplexed off-axis interferograms generated by orthogonally polarized object beams and a reference beam on a monochrome CCD camera. The modulation of the fringe direction is achieved by two homemade retro-reflector mirrors, allowing for the retrieval of the Jones matrix distribution of transparent specimens through a matrix-division algorithm. The stable common-path design and the expansive camera field of view facilitate the extraction of spatially resolved Jones matrix parameters. The feasibility of this method was validated through experiments involving standard objects and polarization-sensitive materials, conducted at both general and microscopic scales. Our system completed polarization imaging of cancerous tissues, unequivocally demonstrating its extraordinary potential in medical pathology diagnostics.