Physics of polarized light scattering from weakly rough dielectric surfaces: Yoneda and Brewster scattering phenomena

Abstract: The optical Yoneda and Brewster scattering phenomena are studied theoretically based on pertubative solutions of the reduced Rayleigh equations. The Yoneda phenomenon is characterized as an enhancement of the intensity of the diffuse light scattered by a randomly rough interface between two dielectric media when the light is observed in the optically denser medium. The intensity enhancement occurs above a critical angle of scattering which is independent of the angle of incidence of the excitation. The Brewster scattering phenomenon is characterized by a zero scattered intensity either in the reflected or transmitted light for an angle of scattering which depends on the angle of incidence. We also describe a generalization of the Brewster scattering phenomenon for outgoing evanescent waves and circularly-polarized waves. The physical mechanisms responsible for these phenomena are described in terms of simple notions such as scalar waves, oscillating and rotating dipoles and geometrical arguments, and are valid in a regime of weakly rough interfaces.