Ptychographic Mueller matrix imaging (PMMI): principle and proof-of-concept demonstration.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Quantitative characterization of optical anisotropies is crucial across various scientific and technological fields.
• The Mueller matrix is a key tool for evaluating polarization-related properties of materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel ptychographic Mueller matrix imaging (PMMI) technique.
• To achieve high-resolution imaging and quantitative evaluation of optical anisotropies.

Main Methods:

• Integration of Mueller matrix polarization modulation into ptychography.
• Ptychographic reconstruction for each polarization state to determine the Mueller matrix.
• Implementation of a proof-of-concept PMMI apparatus with simulations and experiments.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the validity of the PMMI technique through simulations and experiments.
• Achieved an imaging resolution of 1.550 µm at 633 nm, representing a state-of-the-art level for Mueller matrix imaging.
• Successfully characterized a birefringent specimen, quantitatively evaluating its retardance and axis azimuth.

Conclusions:

• The proposed PMMI technique offers a powerful new method for high-resolution optical anisotropy characterization.
• PMMI enables precise quantitative evaluation of polarization properties, advancing materials analysis.
• The achieved resolution and accuracy position PMMI as a leading technique in Mueller matrix imaging.