Stokes polarimetry-based second harmonic generation microscopy for collagen and skeletal muscle fiber characterization.

The complete polarization state of second harmonic (SH) light was measured and characterized by collagen type I and skeletal muscle fiber using a Stokes vector-based SHG microscope. The polarization states of the SH signal are analyzed in a pixel-by-pixel manner and displayed through two dimensional (2D) Stokes vector images. Various polarization parameters are reconstructed using Stokes values to quantify the polarization properties of SH light. Also, the measurements are extended for different input polarization states to investigate the molecular structure of second harmonic generation (SHG) active molecules such as collagen type I and myosin.