Methods, arrangements and systems for polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging of a sample

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one first arrangement which is configured to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation to a reference, wherein a frequency of radiation provided by the at least one first arrangement varies repetitively over time with a first characteristic period;
• at least one waveguide second arrangement which is configured to combine a third electro-magnetic radiation and a fourth electro-magnetic radiation, the third and fourth electromagnetic radiations being associated with the first and second electromagnetic radiations, respectively, so as to determine an axial reflectance profile of at least one portion of the sample;
• at least one third arrangement which is configured to repetitively vary a polarization state of at least one of the first electro-magnetic radiation, the second electro-magnetic radiation, the third electro-magnetic radiation or the fourth electro-magnetic radiation over time with a second characteristic period;
• and
• at least one fourth arrangement which is configured to provide data for imaging at least one portion of the sample as a function of the polarization state, wherein the second period is shorter than the first period.

A method comprising for providing data associated with a sample:

• providing at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation to a reference, wherein a frequency of at least one of the first and second radiations varies repetitively over time with a first characteristic period;
• repetitively varying a polarization state of at least one of the first electro-magnetic radiation, the second electro-magnetic radiation, a third electro-magnetic radiation or a fourth electro-magnetic radiation over time with a second characteristic period;
• and
• providing the data for imaging at least one portion of the sample as a function of the polarization state,
• wherein the third electro-magnetic radiation is associated with the at least one first radiation and the fourth electro-magnetic radiation is associated with the at least one second radiation, and wherein the second period is shorter than the first period.

A method comprising for providing data associated with a sample:

• providing at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to the sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation to a reference, wherein a frequency of radiation provided by the at least one first arrangement varies repetitively over time with a first characteristic period;
• combining a third electro-magnetic radiation and a fourth electro-magnetic radiation, the third and fourth electromagnetic radiations being associated with the first and second electromagnetic radiations, respectively, so as to determine an axial reflectance profile of at least one portion of the sample;
• repetitively varying a polarization state of at least one of the first electro-magnetic radiation, the second electro-magnetic radiation, the third electro-magnetic radiation or the fourth electro-magnetic radiation over time with a second characteristic period;
• and
• providing the data for imaging at least one portion of the sample as a function of the polarization state, wherein the second period is shorter than the first period.