The inverse scattering problem for orthotropic media in polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Optical Engineering
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a widely used imaging modality.
• Characterizing anisotropic and orthotropic materials with OCT remains challenging.
• Polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) offers enhanced contrast for material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mathematical model for imaging anisotropic, orthotropic media using PS-OCT.
• To formulate the imaging as a 3D inverse scattering problem.
• To reconstruct the electrical susceptibility of the medium.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of the imaging problem as a 3D inverse scattering problem.
• Utilizing Maxwell's equations for modeling.
• Employing the second-order Born approximation for electric field reconstruction.

Main Results:

• A novel mathematical framework for PS-OCT imaging of anisotropic media.
• A reconstruction method based on inverse scattering theory.
• The model enables the retrieval of electrical susceptibility information.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a foundational approach for advanced PS-OCT imaging.
• This work advances the capability to characterize complex optical materials.
• Future applications include enhanced material science and biomedical imaging analysis.