Figure 1 | Scientific Reports

Figure 1

From: Complete polarization characterization of single plasmonic nanoparticle enabled by a novel Dark-field Mueller matrix spectroscopy system

Figure 1

A schematic of the comprehensive plasmon polarimetry platform.

(a) Dark-field Mueller matrix spectroscopic microscopy system: White light from the mercury lamp after passing through the PSG unit, is focused to an annular shape at the sample site using a dark-field (DF) condenser. PSG: Polarization state generator, PSA: Polarization state analyzer. (P1, P2): fixed linear polarizers, (QWP1, QWP2): achromatic quarter waveplates. The sample-scattered light is collected by an objective and passed through the PSA unit for spectrally resolved signal detection, performed by a spectrometer (S). The 4 × 4 spectral scattering Mueller matrices are constructed using sixteen measurements performed with sixteen optimized combinations of PSG and PSA units. (b) The Mueller matrix inverse analysis models enable decomposition of the experimental Mueller matrix into basis matrices of depolarizing (depolarization matrix) and non-depolarizing (diattenuation and retardance matrices) effects for subsequent extraction/quantification of the constituent polarimetry parameters.

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