Optimum selection of input polarization states in determining the sample Mueller matrix: a dual photoelastic polarimeter approach.

Dual photoelastic modulator polarimeter systems are widely used for the measurement of light beam polarization, most often described by Stokes vectors, that carry information about an interrogated sample. The sample polarization properties can be described more thoroughly through its Mueller matrix, which can be derived from judiciously chosen input polarization Stokes vectors and correspondingly measured output Stokes vectors. However, several sources of error complicate the construction of a Mueller matrix from the measured Stokes vectors. Here we present a general formalism to examine these sources of error and their effects on the derived Mueller matrix, and identify the optimal input polarization states to minimize their effects in a dual photoelastic modulator polarimeter configuration. The input Stokes vector states leading to the most robust Mueller matrix determination are shown to form Platonic solids in the Poincaré sphere space; we also identify the optimal 3D orientation of these solids for error minimization.

Effects of formalin fixation on tissue optical polarization properties.

Formalin fixation is a preparation method widely used in handling tissue specimens, such as biopsies, specifically in optical studies such as microscopy. In this note, we examine how formalin fixation affects the polarization properties of porcine myocardium and liver as assessed by optical polarimetry. Spatial maps of linear retardance and depolarization were derived from four myocardial and four liver samples before and after formalin fixation. Overall, linear retardance and depolarization increased after fixation for both myocardium (15% and 23% increase, respectively) and liver (38% and 51%, respectively). The relative increase in retardance was greater in liver compared to myocardium, although the absolute increase in retardance was comparable for both. The effect of fixation on bulk optical properties was also investigated for myocardium where the scattering coefficient increased from 92 to 132 cm(-1) and the absorption coefficient remained constant at 1.1 cm(-1).