Optical Chirality Determined from Mueller Matrices

Optical chirality, in terms of circular birefringence and dichroism, is described by its electromagnetic magnetoelectric material tensors, the corresponding optical activity contributes to Mueller matrix. Here, spectroscopic ellipsometry spectral range 210–1690 nm used address chiral phenomena measuring matrices transmission. Three approaches determine chirality parameters are discussed. In first approach, applicable absence linear polarization effects, dichroism evaluated directly from elements a second method, differential decomposition employed, which allows for unique separation anisotropic as well depolarization provided that sample homogeneous along path. Finally, modeling using Tellegen constitutive relations presented. The last method also structural effects be included. three methods quantify demonstrated selected materials, including sugar solutions, α-quartz, liquid crystals, beetle cuticle, films cellulose nanocrystals.