Mueller Matrix polarimetry for dermatoscopic application

An epiluminescence microscope, a so-called dermatoscope, is the standard device for non-invasive skin examination. It is used to generate images for an optical evaluation of various diseases. There are different scores for the evaluation of inflammatory skin diseases such as the PASI- or the EASI-score. Usually the evaluation is subjective and based on the experience of the dermatologist. However, to provide more precise and reliable information about such diseases, a diagnostic camera-based system is developed, which provides overview and zoomed images as well as additional information by measuring the Mueller matrix (MM) of a 2D area of the skin in non-contact mode. The MM contains all polarization-changing information of a sample. If the 4 x 4 MM of a sample is known, it is possible to calculate the Stokes vector of the outcoming light for every incoming light state. In order to investigate the possible advantages of recording the MM on skin, we developed a system for its efficient measurement which is suitable for use on patients in a clinical environment. In ongoing work, the system is optimized to provide information of diagnostic significance for inflammatory skin diseases.