Infrared versus white light sources for polarimetric imaging setup

Abstract

The results of the experimental investigation of polarized backscattered light from a biological tissue using cross-polarization imaging technique are presented. A new approach for detecting different morphological abnormalities of the cutaneous structure caused by various diseases and aberrations (pathologies) irradiating the exact sector of the object under study with incoherent infrared light is proposed. The obtained results are compared with results of our previous experiments of illuminating the skin sector with incoherent white light source. Such proposed technique provides the possibility to get the comprehensive information on the structure of the object containing scar structures and other abnormalities and skin illnesses. This method can be used to develop medical devices that are applicable for diagnosing diseases, which are hardly distinguishable at early stages and for monitoring the patient's condition.