Reciprocity constraints on the matrix of reflection from optically anisotropic surfaces

Abstract

We derive certain constraints on the reflection matrix for reflection from a plane, nonmagnetic, optically anisotropic surface using a reciprocity theorem stated long ago by van de Hulst in the context of scattering of polarized light. The constraints are valid for absorbing and chiral media and can be used as tools to check the consistency of derived expressions for such matrices in terms of the intrinsic parameters of the reflecting medium as illustrated by several examples.