Open AccessPartial polarization of light induced by random defects at surfaces or bulks
Author(s) -
Claude Amra,
Myriam Zerrad,
Laure Siozade,
Gaëlle Georges,
Carole Deumié
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.010372
Subject(s) - optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , materials science , scattering , radial polarization , speckle pattern , surface roughness , light scattering , polarization rotator , surface finish , physics , laser beams , birefringence , laser , chemistry , laser beam quality , composite material
Partial polarization may be the result of a scattering process from a fully polarized incident beam. It is shown how the "loss of polarization" is connected with the nature of scatterers (surface roughness, bulk heterogeneity) and on the receiver solid angle. These effects are theoretically predicted and confirmed via multiscale polarization measurements in the speckle pattern of rough surfaces. "Full" polarization can be recovered when reducing the receiver aperture.