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US 6,961,123 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for obtaining information from polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsLihong Wang, Shuliang Jiao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a first section operable to detect polarization-sensitive radiation emitted by an object, and a second section operable to determine a Jones matrix based on information obtained by the first section from the polarization-sensitive radiation. The second section thereafter transforms the Jones matrix into a Mueller matrix, the Mueller matrix being representative of properties of the object.
Claims27
A method, comprising the steps of:
- causing an object to emit polarized radiation by:
- transmitting predetermined radiation to said object;
- generating first and second optical beams having different polarizations;
- and
- splitting each of said first and second beams into first and second components, said first components each being directed to said object to cause said object to emit said polarized radiation;
- directing each of said second components to a reference section where each said second component is reflected by a reflective surface which is physically modulated to thereby generate modulated components;
- forming further radiation from said modulated components and said polarized radiation;
- detecting said polarized radiation comprising said further radiation;
- determining a Jones matrix based on information obtained in said detecting step from said polarized radiation;
- and
- transforming said Jones matrix into a Mueller matrix, said Mueller matrix being representative of properties of said object.
8 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first section operable to detect polarized radiation emitted by an object;
- a second section operable to determine a Jones matrix based on information obtained by said first section from said polarized radiation, and to thereafter transforms said Jones matrix into a Mueller matrix, said Mueller matrix being representative of properties of the object;
- and
- a third section operable to transmit to the object predetermined radiation which causes the object to emit said polarized radiation, said third section comprising:
- a source section which generates first and second optical beams having different polarizations;
- a splitter which splits each of said first and second beams into first and second components;
- a sample section which directs said first components to the object to cause the object to emit said polarized radiation and which directs said polarized radiation from the object to said splitter;
- and
- a reference section which is operable to cause each said second component to be reflected by a reflective surface which is physically modulated to thereby generate modulated components;
- wherein said splitter is operable to form further radiation from said modulated components and said polarized radiation, said first section being responsive to said further radiation.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.