This paper presents a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique for imaging birefringence in biological tissue. The method uses a polarization-sensitive Michelson interferometer to measure two-dimensional images of optical birefringence in bovine tendon as a function of depth. The technique detects the polarization state of the signal formed by interference of backscattered light from the sample and a mirror in the reference arm, allowing the measurement of the optical phase delay between light propagating along the fast and slow axes of the birefringent tendon. The technique enables rapid non-contact investigation of tissue structural properties through two-dimensional imaging of birefringence. The study demonstrates that polarization-sensitive OCT can reveal structural information in birefringent turbid media such as biological tissue that is not available with polarization-insensitive OCT. The technique allows for the detection of changes in birefringence associated with thermal damage and pathological conditions, providing guidance for optimal dosimetry in thermally mediated laser therapeutic procedures. The results show that birefringence images can reveal important structural information that is difficult to resolve with other imaging techniques. The birefringence of bovine tendon was found to be 3.7 ± 0.4 × 10⁻³, in agreement with previously reported values. The study also shows that the loss of birefringence is attributed to thermal damage, and that surface cooling can reduce the birefringence loss near the surface. The technique is important even for conventional reflectance OCT, as reflection images can show pseudo-structures when tissue birefringence rotates backscattered light to the polarization state perpendicular to the detected channel. Only detection of both polarization channels gives a true reflectance OCT image in birefringent biological tissue. The research was supported by various grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Whitaker Foundation, and the Dermatology Foundation.This paper presents a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique for imaging birefringence in biological tissue. The method uses a polarization-sensitive Michelson interferometer to measure two-dimensional images of optical birefringence in bovine tendon as a function of depth. The technique detects the polarization state of the signal formed by interference of backscattered light from the sample and a mirror in the reference arm, allowing the measurement of the optical phase delay between light propagating along the fast and slow axes of the birefringent tendon. The technique enables rapid non-contact investigation of tissue structural properties through two-dimensional imaging of birefringence. The study demonstrates that polarization-sensitive OCT can reveal structural information in birefringent turbid media such as biological tissue that is not available with polarization-insensitive OCT. The technique allows for the detection of changes in birefringence associated with thermal damage and pathological conditions, providing guidance for optimal dosimetry in thermally mediated laser therapeutic procedures. The results show that birefringence images can reveal important structural information that is difficult to resolve with other imaging techniques. The birefringence of bovine tendon was found to be 3.7 ± 0.4 × 10⁻³, in agreement with previously reported values. The study also shows that the loss of birefringence is attributed to thermal damage, and that surface cooling can reduce the birefringence loss near the surface. The technique is important even for conventional reflectance OCT, as reflection images can show pseudo-structures when tissue birefringence rotates backscattered light to the polarization state perpendicular to the detected channel. Only detection of both polarization channels gives a true reflectance OCT image in birefringent biological tissue. The research was supported by various grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Whitaker Foundation, and the Dermatology Foundation.