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Transmitted and reflected scattering matrices from an English oak leaf
Sergey N Savenkov1, Ranjan S Muttiah, Yevgeny A Oberemok
1Department of Radiophysics, Kiev Taras Shevchenko University, Vladimirskaya 64, Kiev 01-033, Ukraine.
Applied Optics
|September 4, 2003
Summary
This study determined the Mueller matrix of an English oak leaf, revealing distinct light scattering properties. Nonspherical structures scatter transmitted light, while spherical structures cause backscatter, with water vapor affecting leaf optics.
Area of Science:
- Plant optics
- Polarimetry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Understanding leaf optical properties is crucial for remote sensing and plant physiology.
- Polarimetric measurements offer detailed insights into scattering mechanisms within biological tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete Mueller matrix of an English oak leaf.
- To differentiate the roles of leaf structures in light transmission and backscattering.
- To investigate the impact of environmental conditions (time, water vapor) on leaf polarimetric properties.
Main Methods:
- Mueller matrix measurements of an English oak leaf using a He-Ne laser (0.63 microm).
- Measurements conducted for transmitted light (0-24 degrees) and backscattered light (153-170 degrees).
- Analysis of coherence matrix eigenvalues and Jones matrices using decomposition theorem.
Main Results:
- Physically realizable polarimetric measurements confirmed by positive coherence matrix eigenvalues.
- Nonspherical leaf structures primarily responsible for transmitted light scatter (M33, M44 components).
- Spherical leaf structures primarily responsible for backscattered light.
Conclusions:
- Leaf internal structures dictate scattering behavior for transmitted and backscattered light.
- Changes in water vapor concentration influence leaf backscattering properties over time.
- Mueller matrix polarimetry provides a powerful tool for characterizing plant tissue optics.