Optical transport lengths quantifying depolarization in experiments on random media

When light diffuses in random media, the intensity decays and at the same time the polarization state is scrambled. As explanation for this apparent inseparability, theoretical work has identified a profound relation between length scales of optical transport and depolarization. Here, we experimentally confirm and quantify their proportionality with thickness-dependent depolarization measurements in colloidal suspensions of microscopic constituents. The observed equivalences accurately predict the nonlinear evolution rate of depolarization over a large range of penetration depths. Our results provide a simple relation, that connects light diffusion in strongly scattering media with measurable polarization signatures over wide spectral ranges and scatterer concentrations.

Automated summary

In this study, the relationship between optical transport and depolarization is experimentally confirmed and quantified, providing a simple relation for predicting the evolution rate of depolarization in strongly scattering media. This research has implications for the understanding of the connection between light diffusion and measurable polarization signatures.