Fiber-based phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer for birefringence imaging of nerves

A fiber based dual channel phase-sensitive optical low coherence tomography system is proposed for birefringence imaging neural tissues. The system measures relative optical path length differences between the orthogonal modes of the polarization-maintaining fiber in highly scattering media with high lateral and longitudinal spatial resolution. Because of the ability of detecting ultra-small changes in refractive index, system has uses in many bio-medical optical imaging applications such as monitoring cell and tissue dynamics, imaging of phase objects, and functional studies.