Change in the coherence of light scattering from the surface of apples and their transpiration during storage

Abstract

Abstract The potential possibility of using coherent optics for non-destructive testing to modify the microstructure of the surface of apples under the influence of chemical factors was studied. The model objects included solar and shade sides of fruits of Antonovka Common variety, untreated (control) and treated with diphenylamine (DPA). The amplitude-phase parameters of laser radiation reflected from the fruit surface were evaluated using a polarization shearing interferometer. It was experimentally shown that by the intensity and degree of coherence of the reflected laser radiation of the surface of apples, it is possible to register the anatomical and morphological characteristics of their tissues. It was revealed that after two months of storage, the spatial coherence of light scattering of the shadow side of an apple is higher than that of the solar, and the surface of apples treated with diphenylamine has a higher coherence of light scattering of the surface of both the solar and shadow sides. It was shown that the transpiration of apples treated with diphenylamine exceeds the transpiration of control apples.