Effects of Chirality on the Circular and Linear Polarized Like and Cross Polarized Reflection Coefficients

Abstract

The principal equations dealing with electromagnetic propagation in chiral media are reviewed. The expression for the circular and linear like and cross polarized reflection coefficients at an interface between free space and chiral media are given. Electric and magnetic line sources are considered. Diffuse scattering due to surface roughness and lateral inhomogeneities of the chiral media is also considered. To provide a full wave (rigorous) basis for the analysis of general scattering problems, generalized Fourier transforms for irregular chiral media are used. They provide the interrelationships between the incident, reflected, transmitted, surface and laterally scattered waves at the interface between free space and the chiral media. A set of generalized telegraphists equations account for diffuse scattering in non specular directions, as well as coupling between the different species of the circularly polarized waves. Explicit expressions that relate the impact of chirality upon the like and cross polarized reflection coefficients are presented. It is shown that the contribution of chirality (to within first order) involves only the linear cross polarized reflection coefficients. These linear, cross polarized scattering coefficients impact primarily upon the off diagonal terms of the Mueller matrix (consistent with experimental observations). Physical interpretation of the analytical results is also presented.