Open AccessPassive optical module for polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography systems
Author(s) -
Sylvain Rivet,
Manuel J. Marques,
Adrian Bradu,
Adrian Gh. Podoleanu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.014533
Subject(s) - optics , optical coherence tomography , birefringence , polarimetry , polarization (electrochemistry) , polarization rotator , detector , beam splitter , interferometry , materials science , faraday effect , physics , laser , chemistry , quantum mechanics , magnetic field , scattering
The paper presents a proof-of-concept polarization-sensitive swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system that performs measurements of the retardance as well as of the axis orientation of a linear birefringent sample. The system performs single input state polarization-sensitive OCT and employs an optical module based on optically passive elements such as two beam displacers and a Faraday rotator. Our implementation of the PS-OCT system does not need any calibration step to compensate for the polarimetric effect of the fibers, and its operation does not require a balanced polarization-diversity detector. The optical module allows measurement of the two polarization properties of the sample via two measurements which are performed simultaneously.