Polarization Biophotonics of Hidden Multifractal Structures in Soft Matter Layers for Biomedical Diagnostics

Abstract

This study develops and substantiates a polarization-interferometric Jones-matrix approach for revealing hidden multifractal optical anisotropy in dehydrated biological soft-matter films. The method integrates Mach–Zehnder interferometry, digital holographic reconstruction of complex amplitudes, phase-selective speckle-field analysis, and statistical–multifractal processing of Jones-matrix images. Unlike intensity-based Stokes polarimetry, it provides amplitude and phase information and enables selective analysis of the coherent ballistic or weakly scattered polarization-preserving field component. Analytical relationships between real and imaginary Jones-matrix components and linear/circular birefringence mechanisms establish their interpretation as markers of spatial heterogeneity, orientational consistency, and phase organization of supramolecular polycrystalline networks. Using bile films, phase-selective mapping revealed distinct anisotropy manifestations in dendritic and spherulitic structures. Higher-order statistical moments and multifractal spectra described coordinate- and scale-dependent transformations. Primary validation on bile, whole blood, and dental canal irrigation films showed comparable integral-field accuracy but higher Jones-matrix informativeness after minimally scattered component isolation, supporting label-free biomedical diagnostics requiring further clinical validation.