Abstract: A polarized light imaging apparatus for separating light from a superficial single-scattering layer of a sample and its deeper diffuse layer as a function of space is disclosed. The apparatus has a light source for producing light beams; an illumination optic coupled to the light source for guiding the light beams towards the sample; a linear polarizer coupled to the illumination optic; a non-total internal reflection (TIR) birefringent polarizing prism (BPP) communicatively coupled to the sample to maximize a refraction difference between ordinary waves and extraordinary waves of light returning from the sample; and a detection optic unit coupled to the non-TIR BPP for guiding the light waves returning from the sample towards a single polarization sensitive sensor element.