Multiple scattering in turbid media containing chiral components: A Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract

A Monte Carlo simulation was performed for an infinite plane medium containing spherical particles as well as a chiral component. The optical activity shifts patterns in the two-dimensional map of the effective scattering Mueller matrix in the azimuthal direction. The reduced effective matrix obtained by the simulation approximately satisfies reciprocity in spite of the theoretical prediction. The pattern shifts are explained by the mixing of elements of the reduced effective Mueller matrix owing to multiplication of two rotation matrices. The reduced effective matrix was factorized using the Lu-Chipman polar decomposition affording the polarization components as a function of the distance. The functions as a retarding linear diattenuator of the medium decreases, whereas the optical rotation increases, as the distance increases. The estimated specific rotation on the medium surface is 1.6 times larger than the specific rotation in the medium used in the simulation.