Evolution of circular and linear polarization in scattering environments

This work quantifies the polarization persistence and memory of circularly polarized light in forward-scattering and isotropic (Rayleigh regime) environments; and for the first time, details the evolution of both circularly and linearly polarized states through scattering environments. Circularly po...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics express Vol. 23; no. 25; pp. 31874 - 31888
Main Authors van der Laan, John D, Wright, Jeremy B, Scrymgeour, David A, Kemme, Shanalyn A, Dereniak, Eustace L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Optical Society of America (OSA) 14.12.2015
Subjects
atmospheric scattering
MATERIALS SCIENCE
Mie theory
multiple scattering
scattering
scattering, polarization
scattering, Rayleigh
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Summary:This work quantifies the polarization persistence and memory of circularly polarized light in forward-scattering and isotropic (Rayleigh regime) environments; and for the first time, details the evolution of both circularly and linearly polarized states through scattering environments. Circularly polarized light persists through a larger number of scattering events longer than linearly polarized light for all forward-scattering environments; but not for scattering in the Rayleigh regime. Circular polarization's increased persistence occurs for both forward and backscattered light. The simulated environments model polystyrene microspheres in water with particle diameters of 0.1 μm, 2.0 μm, and 3.0 μm. The evolution of the polarization states as they scatter throughout the various environments are illustrated on the Poincaré sphere after one, two, and ten scattering events.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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content type line 23
AC04-94AL85000
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
SAND-2015-10325J
ISSN:1094-4087
1094-4087
DOI:10.1364/oe.23.031874