Shape effects in optical properties of composite dust particles

We present optical features characteristic of the shape of composite dust particles, such as grain-aggregates formed under cosmic or atmospheric conditions. The discussion develops along two examples of realistic models for the formation of the composite particles, and constant refractive indices. That way, particular features exhibited in the optical cross section behaviors result from the particle structure only. The role of the ratio between optical particle cross section and the corresponding cross section of the coated sphere of same composition and volume is highlighted. Limited wavelength ranges are defined where the coated sphere model can be used to obtain the effective radius or the volume composition of the particle. Other wavelength domains are very dependent on the particle formation mechanisms, then giving constraints on the possible formation processes. Therefore, such an approach is able to provide inverse methods to obtain the actual values of physical parameters from definite features of optical quantities.