Biomedical subjects

David Lacoste

Publications and source records attributed to David Lacoste.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Geometric depolarization in patterns formed by backscattered light.

We formulate a framework to extend the idea of Berry's topological phase to multiple light scattering, and in particular to backscattering of linearly polarized light. We show that the randomization of the geometric Berry's phases in the medium leads to a loss of the polarization degree of the light, i.e., to a depolarization. We use Monte Carlo simulations in which Berry's phase is calculated for each photon path. Then we average over the distribution of the geometric phases to calculate the form of the patterns, which we compare with experimental patterns formed by backscattered light between crossed or parallel polarizers.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2004

Fluctuation spectrum of fluid membranes coupled to an elastic meshwork: jump of the effective surface tension at the mesh size.

We identify a class of composite membranes: fluid bilayers coupled to an elastic meshwork that are such that the meshwork's energy is a function F(el)[A(xi)] not of the real microscopic membrane area A, but of a smoothed membrane's area A(xi), which corresponds to the area of the membrane coarse grained at the mesh size xi. We show that the meshwork modifies the membrane tension sigma both below and above the scale xi, inducing a steep crossover of amplitude deltasigma=dF(el)/dA(xi). The predictions of our model account for the fluctuation spectrum of red blood cell membranes coupled to their cytoskeleton. Our results indicate that the cytoskeleton might be under extensional stress, which would provide a means to regulate available membrane areas. We also predict an observable tension jump for membranes decorated with polymer "brushes."

Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed2004

Depolarization of backscattered linearly polarized light.

We formulate a quantitative description of backscattered linearly polarized light with an extended photon diffusion formalism taking explicitly into account the scattering anisotropy parameter g of the medium. From diffusing wave spectroscopy measurements, the characteristic depolarization length for linearly polarized light, lp , is deduced. We investigate the dependence of this length on the scattering anisotropy parameter g spanning an extended range from -1 (backscattering) to 1 (forward scattering). Good agreement is found with Monte Carlo simulations of multiply scattered light.

Journal Article↗