Analysis of malaria infection byproducts with Mueller matrix transmission ellipsometry

In this work, hemozoin, a microcrystalline byproduct of the malaria parasites was studied by transmission Mueller matrix ellipsometry. Measurement data was collected for different magnetic field orientations and as a function of the density of the hemozoin suspension. Our ellipsometric study demonstrates the magnetic alignment of the hemozoin crystals via the corresponding large linear birefringence and dichroism signals. These results reveal optical anisotropies of this material, which could be utilized for future optimization of detection schemes or optical instruments for diagnostic use.