Contrast enhancement subsurface optical imaging with different incident polarization states

Recently optical techniques have been applied to the biomedical areas such as diagnostics, imaging etc. However, light scattering in biological tissues can dramatically degrade the imaging contrast and reduce the probe depth. Polarization based measurement have shown its advantages in overcoming such drawbacks. In this work, we achieved a contrast enhancement in subsurface optical imaging by changing the incident polarization states between linear and circular polarizations. Contrasts of the comb like metal target submerged in Intralipid solutions are measured quantitatively as functions of the Intralipid concentration and the submersion depths. Different behaviors in contrast for linear and circular polarizations are compared. Contributions to the background of circular polarization degree images by backscattering. snake and diffusive photons are examined.