Open AccessPolarization-resolved exact light backscattering by an ensemble of particles in air
Author(s) -
Grégory David,
Barry A. Thomas,
Élodie Coillet,
Alain Miffre,
P. Rairoux
Publication year - 2013
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.21.018624
Subject(s) - scattering , physics , optics , radiative transfer , coherent backscattering , polarization (electrochemistry) , backscatter (email) , mueller calculus , light scattering , mie scattering , diffuse sky radiation , computational physics , atmospheric optics , radiation , polarimetry , telecommunications , chemistry , computer science , wireless
We present the first experimental observation of exact backscattering of light by an ensemble of particles in ambient air. Our experimental set-up operates in the far-field single scattering approximation, covers the exact backscattering direction with accuracy (θ = π ± ε with ε = 3.5 × 10(-3) rad) and efficiently collects the particles backscattering radiation, while minimizing any stray light. Moreover, by using scattering matrix formalism, the observation of the particles UV-backscattering signal allowed to measure the particles depolarization of water droplets and salt particles in air, for the first time, in the exact backscattering direction. We believe this result may be useful for comparison with the existing numerical models and for remote sensing field applications in radiative transfer and climatology.