Analysis of malaria infection byproducts with Mueller matrix transmission ellipsometry.

• Synthetic hemozoin suspensions were studied by Mueller matrix transmission ellipsometry. • Hemozoin crystals were oriented by external magnetic field, while the sample was measured by ellipsometer. • Magnetic field rotation induced changes in Mueller matrix spectrum. • Hemozoin concentration can be calculated based on the presented analysis. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]