An imaging polarimeter in transmission has been used to explore the effects of scatter and depolarization induced by a polymer dispersed liquid crystal cell. The experiment was carried out for three visible wavelengths. Both a directional and a scattered component can be distinguished in the light transmitted by this material. Whereas the directional component increased with voltage, the scattered portion decreased. This was a common behaviour for all three wavelengths. The polarimetric analysis revealed that the degree of polarization was also affected by changes in the voltage applied to the cell. Depolarization effects in the scattered component were usually high and decreased with voltage. However those associated with the directional part were low for high voltages and increased when reducing the voltage.

DOI: 10.1080/00150190802380268