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Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography: a review of classical and quantum perspectives

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Abstract

Quantum optical coherence tomography (QOCT) has inherent advantages of high resolution and dispersion cancellation due to the nonclassical nature of entangled two-photon source used in the system. In this review, we discuss the basic operation of a time-domain polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) and a similar PS-QOCT system based on the Jones vector and Jones matrix formalism. We also discuss Stokes and Mueller matrix imaging in the context of PS-OCT systems to construct depth-resolved cross-sectional polarization-sensitive images. Experimental development of PS-QOCT is comparatively recent. It is poised to offer a new tool for polarization-sensitive quantum imaging.

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  1. Physics & Pre-Engineering Department, Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, DE, 19901, USA

    Renu Tripathi

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  1. Renu Tripathi
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Tripathi, R. Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography: a review of classical and quantum perspectives. Quantum Inf Process 11, 1533–1549 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-011-0315-1

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