Depolarization of metal surfaces based on Mueller and integral equation method

Abstract

Abstract This paper delves into the depolarization phenomenon of materials using the integral equation method and Mueller matrix method. In the integral equation method, it is observed that depolarization trends with roughness are similar at different wavelengths, but numerical differences exist. The results are well-supported by both theory and experiments. Specifically, at 1064 nm wavelength, materials exhibit smaller depolarization peaks, smoother trends, and right-shifted peaks compared to 633 nm. Additionally, the polarization characteristics of materials may change with varying incident polarization states. The Mueller matrix method investigates the depolarization trend with varying incident angles and different roughness levels. It reveals a gradual increase in depolarization with the incident angle until 60°, followed by a rapid rise, reaching a peak around 80°. Moreover, materials with higher absorption coefficients exhibit stronger depolarization effects. Overall, this research uncovers the impact of absorption and scattering on the polarization properties of materials, providing valuable insights for future studies in polarization recognition.