Circular polarization memory in polydisperse scattering media

TL;DR

This paper develops a general theoretical framework using Mie theory to quantify the persistence of circular polarization in polydisperse scattering media, enabling potential particle size distribution recovery from polarized light measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive method to calculate circular polarization memory in media with diverse particle sizes and refractive indices, filling a gap in existing understanding.

Findings

Derived a general formula for circular polarization memory in polydisperse media

Demonstrated potential for particle size distribution retrieval from polarization measurements

Extended understanding of polarization behavior in complex scattering environments

Abstract

We investigate the survival of circularly polarized light in random scattering media. The surprising persistence of this form of polarization has a known dependence on the size and refractive index of scattering particles, however a general description regarding polydisperse media is lacking. Through analysis of Mie theory, we present a means of calculating the magnitude of circular polarization memory in complex media, with total generality in the distribution of particle sizes and refractive indices. Quantification of this memory effect enables an alternate pathway towards recovering particle size distribution, based on measurements of diffusing circularly polarized light.