Remote sensing of particle size and refractive index by varying the wavelength

Abstract

This is a numerical study to explore the feasibility of determining particle size and refractive index from the backscattered signal combined with a signal differentially scattered at one other angle. The wavelength of the radiation is varied over a broad range (in the particular example chosen, from lambda = 0.5 micro to 1.5 micro). Three signatures of the particle size and refractive index are chosen: (1) deviation of the radiance from the inverse fourth power of the wavelength; (2) the first maximum of the variation of the angular intensity function with wavelength; and (3) the first two maxima of the variation of the phase difference of the amplitudes of the polarized radiances with wavelength. For monodisperse systems, these signatures will permit estimation of particle size in the fortyfold range of a = 0.033-1.29 micro (for m = 1.50).