Laser polarimetry of biological tissues and fluids

The complex, most informational-consistent approach to the study of polarization manifestations of the optical anisotropy of the polycrystalline component of biological tissues and liquids was considered, namely Muller-matrix polarimetry. The theory of the method was presented. The descriptions of the main experimental techniques based on Stokes-polarimetric mapping of biological layers were provided. To extend the functionality and sensitivity of the Muller-matrix polarimetry, it is proposed to spatially-frequency filter the polarization inhomogeneous object fields. Muller-matrix images of histological sections of biological tissues and polycrystalline films of biological fluids of human organs of various morphological were analyzed within the statistical (statistical moments of 1st-4th order), correlation (autocorrelation functions) and fractal (logarithmic dependences of power spectra, fractal dimensions) approaches. Diagnostic criteria for changes in the optical anisotropy of biological layers associated with various types of pathology were determined. For students, post-graduate students, tutors and researchers working in the field of biomedical optics, biology, medicine.