Birefringence determination in turbid media

Abstract

We study the influence of birefringence on incoherent polarized light transport in turbid media. In particular, Mueller matrices backscattered by a diffusing medium are modified by the birefringence of the suspending phase. We study this effect both theoretically, through Monte Carlo simulations, and experimentally with a highly birefringent xanthane solution in which particles are added at various concentrations to modify its turbidity. Comparisons between experiments on flow-induced birefringence of the xanthane solution with or without particles are in good agreement and show the capability of measuring birefringence in turbid media through analysis of Mueller matrices.