New values of the light scattering depolarization and anisotropy of water

Abstract

A new value for the depolarization ratio of pure water has been measured at 514.5 nm using an argon ion laser light source and photon counting detection. This depolarization ratio is lower than any previous literature value by a substantial amount. Stray light and photometer geometry are shown to be responsible for overestimated values reported previously. The depolarization ratio is also shown to be a function of the portion of the spectrum being investigated. With no filters we find ρv=0.026. The magnitude of error due to finite acceptance angle is calculated and shown to be substantial. Depolarization ratios using 0.46 and 22.5 nm filters (half-peak bandwidth) are reported.