title: Information content of the scattering matrix for spheroidal particles.
abstract: The T-matrix method is shown to be an efficient and accurate procedure for calculating the scattering matrix for randomly oriented nonspherical particles. Calculated scattering matrix elements for spheroidal particles are identical to those obtained by the spheroidal harmonic approach. T-matrix calculations for a randomly oriented finite length cylinder agree well with microwave scattering measurements. Analysis of the information content of the angular variation of the matrix elements for a set of moderately sized absorbing spheroidal particles is presented. It is found that the Fourier spectrum of the phase function and a parameter related to the depolarization ratio contain particle size and shape information, respectively.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah Research Institute, Environmental Studies Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Tsuei
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Barber