Symmetry relations revealed in Mueller matrix hemispherical maps

Abstract

The hemispherical Mueller matrix map for light reflected from a plane-parallel planetary atmosphere is shown to obey several symmetry properties that provide a straightforward method to check their physical realizability. The mirror scattering relation and the reciprocity relation are employed to support the symmetry rules for hemispherical Mueller matrix maps. Additionally, two classes of experiments are identified in which the symmetry rules can be applied, namely, when the incident beam is at zenith and off-zenith angles and the scattering particles are spheres and randomly oriented hexagonal particles.