Instability-driven image recovery of 180-degree backscattered polarized-light in turbid water

Abstract

Although the incoherent modulation instability has been proven to be effective for the recovery of forward-scattering images, the similar attempt of backscatter is still non-ideal. In this paper, considering the preservation properties of polarization and coherence in 180° backscatter, we propose an instability-driven nonlinear imaging method based on polarization modulation. A coupling model is established using Mueller calculus and mutual coherence function, in which the instability generation and image reconstruction are both analyzed. Experimental results clearly show the enhancement of imaging quality. This method is general and has potential for echo detection in various scattering environments.