Reciprocity constraints on the matrix of reflection from optically anisotropic surfaces

TL;DR

This paper derives reciprocity-based constraints on the reflection matrix for anisotropic optical surfaces, applicable to absorbing and chiral media, aiding in verifying the consistency of reflection models.

Contribution

It introduces new reciprocity constraints on reflection matrices for anisotropic surfaces, extending their applicability to absorbing and chiral media.

Findings

Derived constraints valid for absorbing media

Constraints applicable to chiral media

Tools for verifying reflection matrix models

Abstract

We derive certain constraints on the reflection matrix for reflection from a plane, nonmagnetic, optically anisotropic surface using a reciprocity theorem stated long ago by van de Hulst in the context of scattering of polarized light. The constraints are valid for absorbing and chiral media and can be used as tools to check the consistency of derived expressions for such matrices in terms of the intrinsic parameters of the reflecting medium as illustrated by several examples.