Fast and high-accuracy collinear reflection Mueller imaging polarimeter implemented with the compound calibration method

The collinear reflection Mueller matrix imaging polarimeter is suitable for characterizing thick samples with high-scattering depolarization such as biological tissues or in-situ living organs. Achieving fast detection and high measurement accuracy is vital to prevent artifacts and accurately assess polarization characteristics in these applications. This paper demonstrates a fast collinear reflection imaging polarimeter based on liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs-CRMMIP). We propose a novel compound calibration method (CCM), to the best of our knowledge, which enhances measurement accuracy through light intensity correction and an improved equivalent calibration sample model. This method surpasses the double-pass eigenvalue calibration method (dp-ECM), enhancing accuracy by over 23 times. Performance evaluations with standard samples, including mirrors, linear polarizers, and wave plates, reveal that the LCVRs-CRMMIP achieves rapid measurements (about 3 s) and high accuracy with an error of less than 0.0017. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group