Light-scattering Mueller matrix from a fiber as a function of MgO contamination

The light-scattering Mueller matrix for an r = 0.345-microm-radius quartz fiber, illuminated at lambda = 0.4416 microm, is examined as a function of contamination with MgO crystals. When the MgO contamination is low, the matrix elements resemble those of a fiber of slightly larger radius. The MgO contamination creates higher-frequency, smaller-amplitude oscillations in the matrix elements that mask the lower-frequency oscillations indicative of a perfect cylinder. The contamination also causes scatter outside the plane of incidence.