Mirror Symmetry in three-dimensional Multiple-Scattering Media

TL;DR

This study explores how mirror symmetry in three-dimensional multiple-scattering media affects light propagation, revealing polarization-dependent intensity variations and providing analytical models with potential applications in anti-counterfeiting.

Contribution

It introduces the first detailed analysis of mirror-symmetry effects in 3D scattering media, combining experimental measurements with analytical modeling.

Findings

Polarization-dependent intensity deviations observed near the symmetry plane

Up to twofold enhancement or complete suppression of ensemble-averaged intensities

Analytical expressions derived for intensity profiles near the symmetry plane

Abstract

We investigate the effect of a mirror-symmetry plane in multiple-scattering media under plane-wave illumination along the symmetry plane. Designed and fabricated samples' optical transport properties are compared quantitatively with three-dimensional modeling. Strong polarization-dependent deviations of the bulk speckle-averaged intensity distribution at the symmetry plane are observed, showing either up to a factor two enhancement or complete suppression of the ensemble-averaged intensities. We derive analytical expressions for the ensemble-averaged intensity profiles near the symmetry plane. Apart from their interest in fundamental light propagation studies, applications of mirror-symmetric scattering media are envisioned in anti-counterfeiting.