Polarization gating based on Mueller matrices
Résumé
We present mathematical formulas generalizing polarization gating (PG) techniques. PG refers to a
collection of imaging methods based on the combination of different controlled polarization channels. In particular,
we show how using the measured Mueller matrix (MM) of a sample, a widespread number of PG configurations
can be evaluated just from analytical expressions based on the MM coefficients. We also show the
interest of controlling the helicity of the states of polarization used for PG-based metrology, as this parameter
has an impact in the image contrast of samples. In addition, we highlight the interest of combining PG techniques
with tools of data analysis related to theMM formalism, such as the well-knownMM decompositions. The method
discussed in this work is illustrated with the results of polarimetric measurements done on artificial phantoms and
real ex-vivo tissues