Fiber-based polarization-sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography using a fiber optic spectral polarimetry instrument

Abstract

We present a novel fiber-based polarization sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system using a fiber optic spectral polarimetry instrument (FOSPI), which provides measurement of depth-resolved polarization state of backscattered light from a specimen with single optical frequency scanning. By inserting a FOSPI in the detection path of SD-OCT, the full set of Stokes parameters of light backscattered at the specific depth of a specimen can be obtained without any other polarization controlling components in the system and the prior knowledge of the polarization state of the light incident on the sample. The operation principle of the fiber-based polarization sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography is demonstrated with a Mica plate as birefringent sample.