Optimization of rotating orthogonal polarization imaging in turbid media via the Mueller matrix

Rotating orthogonal polarization imaging (ROPI) is an effective de-scattering method to detect objects through turbid media. This paper investigates improving the performance of ROPI. On the basis of the Jaffe model, polarization filtering using the Stokes-Mueller formula is performed theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The results show that the illumination polarization angle and difference in the Mueller matrix elements of m(12), m(13), m(21), and m(31) between the medium and the object could affect the signal-to-noise ratio of images obtained via the ROPI method. In addition, polarization filtering by rotating the polarizer mechanically could be replaced by Mueller matrix based polarization information processing for the precise control of the illumination polarization angle and rapid imaging process.