Imaging linear and circular polarization features in leaves with complete Mueller matrix polarimetry

Published

June 1, 2018

Author(s)

C.H. L. Patty, David Luo, Frans Snik, Freek Ariese, Wybren J. Buma, Inge L. ten Kate, Rob J. van Spanning, William Sparks, Thomas Germer, Gy?z? Garab, Michael W. Kudenov

Abstract

Spectropolarimetry of intact plant leaves allows to probe the molecular architecture of vegetation photosynthesis in a non-invasive and non-destructive way and, as such, can offer a wealth of physiological information. In addition to the molecular signals due to the photosynthesis machinery, the cell structure and its arrangement within a leaf can create and modify polarization signals. Using Mueller matrix polarimetry with rotating retarder modulation, we have visualized spatial variations in polarization around the chlorophyll a absorbance band from 650 nm to 710 nm. We show linear and circular polarization measurements of maple leaves and cultivated maize leaves and discuss the corresponding Mueller matrices and the Mueller matrix decompositions, which shows distinct features in diattenuation, polarizance, retardance and depolarization. Importantly, while normal leaf tissue shows a typical split signal with both a negative and a positive peak in the induced fractional circular polarization and circular dichroism, the signals close to the veins only display a negative band. The results are similar to the negative band as was reported earlier for single macrodomains. We discuss the possible role of the chloroplast orientation around the veins as a cause of this phenomenon. Systematic artefacts are ruled out as three independent measurements by different instruments gave similar results. These results provide better insight into the circular polarization measurements on whole leaves and options for vegetation remote sensing using circular polarization.

Citation

Biochimica Et Biophysica ACTA-General Subjects

Volume

1862

Issue

6

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.03.005

Local Download

Keywords

Mueller matrix, photosynthesis, polarimetry

Citation

Patty, C. , Luo, D. , Snik, F. , Ariese, F. , Buma, W. , ten Kate, I. , van Spanning, R. , Sparks, W. , Germer, T. , Garab, G. and Kudenov, M. (2018), Imaging linear and circular polarization features in leaves with complete Mueller matrix polarimetry, Biochimica Et Biophysica ACTA-General Subjects, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.03.005, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=924740 (Accessed October 2, 2025)