Utilization of Mueller matrix formalism to obtain optical targets depolarization and polarization properties

Polarization is an important property of several physical phenomena such as Rayleigh and Raman (High intensify Raman Interactions: A. Penzkofer, A. Lauberteau, and W. Kaiser, Progress in Quantum Electronics, 6) (1982) scattering (Multi-photon Scattering Molecular Spectroscopy, S. Kielich, Progress in Optics, E. Wolf(ed.) North-Holland, Amsterdam) (1983) or fluorescence (Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, J.R. Lakowicz, Plenum Press) (1986) for example, but also for laser spectral lines (Laser Lines in Atomic Species, C. S. Willett, Progress in Quantum Electronics, 1) (1969). So, the polarimetric aspect for the propagation in media, such as fibres (Recent progress in fibre optics, G. Cancellieri, F. Chiaraluce, Progress in Quantum Electronics, 18) (1994), the atmosphere and the sea (Light Scattering by Small Particles (Dover, New York, 1981), must be considered. Following general considerations on the different polarimetric formalisms(Chapter I), this paper first presents a review of present theoretical works on the exploitation of the Mueller matrix (Chapter II). This is followed by original studies of our own, concerning the possibility of extracting polarizing and depolarizing properties of a target characterized by a Mueller matrix (Chapter III). We then study the depolarization effects induced by targets in the Poincare space (Chapter IV). This depolarization is induced by multiple reflections on rough surfaces or due to partial volume scattering. We have developed an algorithm, based on the knowledge of experimental noise, to classify experimental Mueller matrices according to their polarimetric characteristics. The laser imaging set-up used is described and the method (such as dichroic and birefringent ferrofluid samples) and surfaces (such as sand and other natural targets, dielectric or metallic rough targets). Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.