Enhanced Optical Axis Visualization in Polarization-Sensitive OCT Using Density-Encoded Line Integral Convolution.

Abstract

Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) enables mapping of collagen fibre orientation through measurement of the optical axis of birefringence. Visualizing dense and complex optical axis fields remains challenging, and conventional color maps can fail to convey sufficient information. In this work, we present an evaluation of density-encoded line integral convolution (DELIC), a framework that adapts established visualization techniques for enhanced PS-OCT visualization. Through evaluation across multiple biological tissues, we demonstrate how DELIC improves the interpretation of complex optical axis fields and facilitates comparison with complementary imaging modalities. More broadly, this work highlights how established visualization techniques can be successfully adapted to PS-OCT and encourages both the PS-OCT and wider polarimetry communities to give greater consideration to visualization strategies.