Depolarization in the Mueller calculus

Russell A. Chipman

doi:10.1117/12.506087

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12 December 2003 Depolarization in the Mueller calculus

Russell A. Chipman

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Proceedings Volume 5158, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506087
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Depolarization is the generation of partially polarized light or unpolarized light from a completely polarized incident beam. For example when polarized light scatters from rough surfaces, the degree of polarization is usually reduced from one. Depolarization figures of merit are discussed and difficulties with the depolarization index are highlighted. Interesting depolarization patterns are presented for a liquid crystal in reflection are measured with a commercial polarimeter. Depolarization data from rough metal surfaces and paint is also discussed.

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Russell A. Chipman "Depolarization in the Mueller calculus", Proc. SPIE 5158, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing, (12 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506087

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