Polarization-sensitive quantum optical coherence tomography: Experiment

Polarization-sensitive quantum optical coherence tomography (PS-QOCT) makes use of a Type-II twin-photon light source for carrying out optical sectioning with polarization sensitivity. A BBO nonlinear optical crystal pumped by a Ti:sapphire psec-pulsed laser is used to confirm the theoretical underpinnings of this imaging paradigm. PS-QOCT offers even-order dispersion cancellation with simultaneous access to the group-velocity dispersion characteristics of the interstitial medium between the reflecting surfaces of the sample.

Research highlights
► A twin-photon light source provides optical sectioning with polarization sensitivity.
► The scheme is known as PS-QOCT.
► PS-QOCT viability is confirmed using a pulsed laser and a nonlinear crystal.
► PS-QOCT offers even-order dispersion cancellation.
► PS-QOCT offers access to interstitial group-velocity dispersion.