Muller-matrix images of fluctuations of optical anisotropy parameters of biological diffusion layers

This work is aimed at generalizing the methods of laser polarimetry in the case of depolarizing optically anisotropic biological layers. A method of differential polarization mapping for reproducing Mueller-matrix images of fluctuations of linear and circular birefringence and dichroism of diffuse layers of biological tissues of various morphological structures is proposed and substantiated. The coordinate distributions of the elements of a second-order differential matrix of histological sections of brain tissue with a spatially structured optically anisotropic fibrillar network and parenchymal tissue of the rectum wall with an "island" polycrystalline structure were determined. Within the framework of the statistical analysis of polarization-reproduced Muller-matrix images of phase and amplitude anisotropy fluctuations, a significant sensitivity of statistical moments of the third and fourth orders to the changes in the polycrystalline structure of the depolarizing layers of biological tissues was observed.