Phase-modulated Mueller ellipsometry characterization of scattering by latex sphere suspensions

摘要

Phase-modulated Mueller ellipsometry (PMME) is used to probe scattering by suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres, with particle diameters ranging from 400 nm to 3 μm. PMME allows simultaneous measurement of the 16 coefficients of the Mueller matrix. Furthermore PMME measurements can easily be carried out owing to a calibration procedure implemented in a scattering configuration. The measurements performed on low concentrations show good agreement with Mie theory. Moreover size distribution could be obtained with a least-squares method based on a genetic fit algorithm. Experimental evidence of multiple scattering on PMME measurements is also presented.