Single input state, single-mode fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging by eigenpolarization referencing

Fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging is more challenging than free-space implementations. Using multiple input states, fiber-based systems provide sample birefringence information with the benefit of a flexible sample arm but come at the cost of increased system and acquisition complexity, and either reduce acquisition speed or require increased acquisition bandwidth. Here we show that with the calibration of a single polarization state, fiber-based configurations can approach the conceptual simplicity of traditional free-space configurations. We remotely control the polarization state of the light incident at the sample using the eigen-polarization states of a wave plate as a reference, and determine the Jones matrix of the output fiber. We demonstrate this method for polarization-sensitive imaging of biological samples. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America