Polarization Optics to Differentiate Among Bioaerosols for Lidar Applications

Polarization optics, which characterize the orientation of the electromagnetic field through Stokes vectors formalism, have been effectively used in lidar remote sensing to detect particles that differ in shape, such as mineral dust or pollen. In this study, for the first time, we explore the capabi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Photonics 2024-11, Vol.11 (11), p.1067
Main Authors: Miffre, Alain, Cholleton, Danaël, Genoud, Adrien P, Spanu, Antonio, Rairoux, Patrick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols
Air pollution
Allergens
Allergic reaction
Allergies
Allergy
Backscattering
Bioaerosols
Contaminants
Depolarization
Electric fields
Electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetism
Environmental monitoring
Fungi
Laboratories
Lidar
Light
Light scattering
Mueller matrices
Optical polarization
Optical radar
Optics
Physics
Polarization
Pollen
Radiation
Real time
Remote sensing
Scattering
Spores
Stokes vectors
Surface structure
Textbooks
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Summary:Polarization optics, which characterize the orientation of the electromagnetic field through Stokes vectors formalism, have been effectively used in lidar remote sensing to detect particles that differ in shape, such as mineral dust or pollen. In this study, for the first time, we explore the capability of polarization optics to distinguish the light-backscattering patterns of pollen and fungal spores, two complex-shaped particles that vary significantly in surface structure. A unique laboratory polarimeter operating at lidar backscattering at 180.0° was conducted to assess their light depolarization property in laboratory ambient air. If, at the precise lidar backscattering angle of 180.0°, the depolarization ratios of pollen and fungal spores were difficult to differentiate, slight deviations from 180.0° allowed us to reveal separate scattering matrices for pollen and fungal spores. This demonstrates that polarization optics can unambiguously differentiate these particles based on their light-(back)scattering properties. These findings are consistent at both 532 and 1064 nm. This non-invasive, real-time technique is valuable for environmental monitoring, where rapid identification of airborne allergens is essential, as well as in agricultural and health sectors. Polarization-based light scattering thus offers a valuable method for characterizing such atmospheric particles, aiding in managing airborne contaminants.
ISSN:2304-6732
2304-6732
DOI:10.3390/photonics11111067