Open AccessBackscattering measurements of micron-sized spherical particles
Author(s) -
Brendan M. Heffernan,
Yuli W. Heinson,
Justin B. Maughan,
Amitabha Chakrabarti,
Christopher M. Sorensen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
applied optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 2155-3165
pISSN - 1559-128X
DOI - 10.1364/ao.55.003214
Subject(s) - optics , mie scattering , refractive index , materials science , scattering , light scattering , particle (ecology) , spheres , metrology , aperture (computer memory) , physics , oceanography , astronomy , acoustics , geology
An apparatus was designed and assembled to measure scattered light in the range of 180°±6° where enhanced backscattering, the cause of a glory, occurs. The apparatus was calibrated and tested using Fraunhofer circular aperture diffraction, angle of incidence correction, and a diffuse reflector. Theory indicates that backscattering is strongly dependent on particle size, refractive index, and shape. Experimental measurements from polystyrene latex spheres of two sizes and water droplets showed good agreement with Mie theory, but also indicated the extreme sensitivity of the backscattering to particle parameters. The results presented should have use in the fields of particle scattering, particle metrology, and LIDAR.