Rytov Approximation of Vectorial Waves by Modifying Scattering Matrixes: Precise Reconstruction of Dielectric Tensor Tomography

Abstract

Analyzing 3D anisotropic materials presents significant challenges, especially when assessing 3D orientations, material distributions, and anisotropies through scattered light, due to the inherently vectorial nature of light-matter interactions. In this study, we formulate a scattering theory based on the Rytov approximation, commonly employed in scalar wave tomography, tailored to accommodate vector waves by modifying the scattering matrix. Using this formulation, we investigate the intricate 3D structure of liquid crystals with multiple topological defects exploiting dielectric tensor tomography. By leveraging dielectric tensor tomography, we successfully visualize these topological defects in three dimensions, a task that conventional 2D imaging techniques fail to achieve.