Mueller matrix decomposition for biological tissue analysis

This study deals with the polarimetric characterization of biological tissues based on the Stokes–Mueller formalism. The optimal experimental conditions to study irradiated pig skin samples are analyzed. Two Mueller matrix decomposition techniques, the one developed by Lu and Chipman and the other by Ossikovski, are used. These decompositions allow identification of useful factors such as retardance, diattenuation and depolarization for differentiating between various levels of irradiation and for better interpreting the behavior of the skin with respect to irradiation.