Scanning fibre-optic polarization microscope

Abstract A novel technique of obtaining polarization images with a scanning microscope using birefringent optical fibre is proposed. It is shown that the polarization anisotropy of the specimen can be determined by launching the reflected light into the fibre, adjusting the phase delay between the polarization modes and detecting the interference signal. The technique is demonstrated experimentally on a sample exhibiting birefringence and dichroism.