Exploring the evolution of circular polarized light backscattered from turbid tissue-like disperse medium utilizing generalized Monte Carlo modeling approach with a combined use of Jones and Stokes–Mueller formalisms

Abstract

. Significance Phase retardation of circularly polarized light (CPL), backscattered by biological tissue, is used extensively for quantitative evaluation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, presence of senile Alzheimer’s plaques, and characterization of biotissues with optical anisotropy. The Stokes polarimetry and Mueller matrix approaches demonstrate high potential in definitive non-invasive cancer diagnosis and tissue characterization. The ultimate understanding of CPL interaction with tissues is essential for advancing medical diagnostics, optical imaging, therapeutic applications, and the development of optical instruments and devices. Aim We investigate propagation of CPL within turbid tissue-like scattering medium utilizing a combination of Jones and Stokes–Mueller formalisms in a Monte Carlo (MC) modeling approach. We explore the fundamentals of CPL memory effect and depolarization formation. Approach The generalized MC computational approach developed for polarization tracking within turbid tissue-like scattering medium is based on the iterative solution of the Bethe–Salpeter equation. The approach handles helicity response of CPL scattered in turbid medium and provides explicit expressions for assessment of its polarization state. Results Evolution of CPL backscattered by tissue-like medium at different conditions of observation in terms of source–detector configuration is assessed quantitatively. The depolarization of light is presented in terms of the coherence matrix and Stokes–Mueller formalism. The obtained results reveal the origins of the helicity flip of CPL depending on the source–detector configuration and the properties of the medium and are in a good agreement with the experiment. Conclusions By integrating Jones and Stokes–Mueller formalisms, the combined MC approach allows for a more complete representation of polarization effects in complex optical systems. The developed model is suitable to imitate propagation of the light beams of different shape and profile, including Gaussian, Bessel, Hermite–Gaussian, and Laguerre–Gaussian beams, within tissue-like medium. Diverse configuration of the experimental conditions, coherent properties of light, and peculiarities of polarization can be also taken into account.

Time-resolved depolarization analysis of back-scattered light

“…A convenient figure of merit to describe the depolarization process is the depolarization ratio δ R , 4,5 which is defined as:…”

Depolarization diagrams for circularly polarized light scattering for biological particle monitoring

“…7,8 Scattering and propagation of CPL within from turbid disperse medium have been investigated by combining Jones and Stokes-Mueller formalisms in the Monte Carlo (MC) modeling approach to explore the fundamentals of CPL depolarization, which can be applied to practical uses in a wide range of fields. [9][10][11] Applications using these characteristics have also been studied. One such application is the detection of cancer distribution.…”