Correction method and tissue simulation approach for system polarization mode dispersion in polarization-sensitive OCT.

Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) caused by single-mode fibers and circulators is a major source of noise in fiber-based PS-OCT systems. It introduces an unknown wavelength dependent change of the polarization state incident on the sample, which can lead to erroneous local optic axis and retardation measurements. In this paper, we present a correction method for PMD and other possible wavelength dependent system distortions, based on a Jones and Stokes eigenvector analysis. The method was validated in a new PS-OCT simulation framework of birefringent tissue and system PMD. It was then used to correct in vivo lung data acquired with a depth-multiplexed PS-OCT system used in combination with a distal scanning endoscope. The method accurately retrieves the system PMD and the correct local simulated tissue retardation and relative optic axis in simulations. In in vivo lung data, the correction method yielded strong improvements in the uniformity of the optic axis image and reconstruction of birefringent layers, such as the airway smooth muscle and the perichondrium.