Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 1210.1076

Application of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Mueller Ellipsometry to Optical Characterization

Enric Garcia-Caurel·Antonello De Martino·Jean-Paul Gaston·Li Yan
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This article aims to provide a brief overview of both established and novel ellipsometry techniques, as well as their applications. Ellipsometry is an indirect optical technique in that information about the physical properties of a sample is obtained through modeling analysis. Standard ellipsometry is typically used to characterize optically isotropic bulk and/or layered materials. More advanced techniques like Mueller ellipsometry, also known as polarimetry in literature, are necessary for the complete and accurate characterization of anisotropic and/or depolarizing samples which occur in many instances, both in research and "real life" activities. In this article we cover three main areas of subject: basic theory of polarization, standard ellipsometry and Mueller ellipsometry. Section I is devoted to a short and pedagogical introduction of the formalisms used to describe light polarization. The following section is devoted to standard ellipsometry. The focus is on the experimental aspects, including both pros and cons of commercially available instruments. Section III is devoted to recent advances in Mueller ellipsometry. Applications examples are provided in sections II and III to illustrate how each technique works.

Explore related subjects

physics.optics

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Enric Garcia-Caurel, Antonello De Martino, Jean-Paul Gaston, Li Yan. 2013-01-10. Application of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Mueller Ellipsometry to Optical Characterization. https://doi.org/10.1366/12-06883

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Programmable Intrinsic Circularly Polarized Emission

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is central to chiral photonics, yet programming circularly polarized emission at the nanoscale remains challenging. Here, we program intrinsic CPL at its microscopic origin in laser-written all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals embedded in glass. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals a core-shell-like variation in interplanar spacing associated with intrinsic CPL, consistent with torsional lattice distortion. The torsional lattice distortion breaks inversion symmetry, while density functional theory calculations show that it lifts the spin degeneracy of the band-edge electronic states. Power-dependent measurements further reveal a transition from birefringence-mediated circular polarization to intrinsic CPL, accompanied by the emergence of a distinct core-shell-like lattice distortion in the nanocrystals. By tuning the incident linear polarization angle and focal depth, we deterministically control both the handedness and magnitude of the intrinsic CPL, with |glum| of approximately 4 ^ 10^-3. These results show that programmable intrinsic CPL originates from the structural and electronic properties of the emitting nanocrystals, enabling circularly polarized emission to be controlled at its microscopic origin and spatially encoded within a monolithic material.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Square-Root Higher-Order Exceptional Points with Symmetry-Induced Multiple Spectral Responses

We generalize square-root procedure to non-Hermitian systems with finite lattices, providing a spectral operation scheme applicable to arbitrary tight-binding models. Via this generalized square-root approach, we construct novel chiral-symmetric higher-order exceptional points (EPs) with multiple spectral responses. By taking square-root of a parent Hamiltonian hosting an $n$th-order EP (EP$_n$), an EP$_{2n+1}$ chiral-symmetric square-root system is obtained, whose lattice sites are inherited from both the parent system and an auxiliary residual system. The chiral-symmetry-induced structure of the generalized eigenspace enables onsite and coupling perturbations to selectively generate spectral responses of different orders. The proposed scheme is universal, applicable to any existing tight-binding EP system and iterable to generate EPs of arbitrarily high order. With enriched ultrasensitive spectral responses, the chiral-symmetric higher-order EP system provides a promising platform for signal amplification, detection and non-Hermitian control.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Global Framework for Dynamics and Criticality of Bound States in the Continuum

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) exhibit rich momentum-space dynamics, including merging, annihilation, and reconnection across symmetry directions and bands. Yet these phenomena have largely been explained case by case, without a unified framework to classify or predict them. Here we develop a global symmetry-equivariant theory for the dynamics of nondegenerate and degenerate BICs. We show that BIC dynamics can be classified into $α$-, $β$-, and $γ$-processes according to root motion, which not only encompass the reported dynamics in $C_{2v}$, $C_{4v}$, and $C_{6v}$ systems but also include previously unrecognized ones. More importantly, we reveal that distinct dynamics are bridged by the criticality of BICs through a \emph{merging of merging}, in which selected direction--band branches acquire higher-order radiation zeros. Such a theory predicts which branches become critical and how to tune system parameters to realize them. Following this framework, we construct high-order BICs in full-wave calculations, realizing $Q\sim k^{-10}$ nondegenerate criticality and $Q\sim k^{-8}$ single-branch and band-paired degenerate criticalities. Our framework provides a systematic route to understanding, discovering, and selectively controlling BIC dynamics and high-$Q$ states.

physics.optics↗