Single Scattering Properties for an Ensemble of Randomly Oriented Convex Polyhedra in Geometrical Optics Regime

TL;DR

This study computes and compares the polarization scattering matrices of randomly oriented convex polyhedra and hexagonal prisms using geometrical optics, revealing shape-dependent scattering signatures.

Contribution

It introduces a unified computational framework for statistical scattering matrix calculations of convex polyhedra, enabling systematic shape-dependent light scattering analysis.

Findings

Irregular particles produce smooth, featureless scattering matrices.

Regular hexagonal particles retain common geometric scattering features.

Shape significantly influences polarization scattering signatures.

Abstract

To study how geometrical shape affect the light scattering properties for an ensemble of randomly orientated particles, the single scattering matrices including complete polarization information are calculated statistically for a group of crystals with random geometrical shape and a group of hexagonal prisms with various aspect ratios in geometrical optics approximation method. To compare, the single scattering matrices for individual random irregular crystal and individual hexagonal prism are also presented. It should be noted that all statistical simulation experiments in this study are restricted to the following conditions: diffraction and absorption effects are neglected, calculations are performed at a single fixed wavelength, particles are assumed to be randomly oriented, and the simulations are limited to the regime where the geometric optics approximation is applicable. Using a unified computational framework for scattering matrices of convex polyhedra, we carried out a series of statistical numerical simulations. The flexibility of this framework in modifying particle geometry enables a systematic investigation of shape-dependent scattering characteristics. The results demonstrate that regular and irregular particles exhibit noticeably different scattering matrix signatures, and ensembles of irregular particles yield smooth and featureless non-zero matrix elements. In contrast, ensembles of regular hexagonal particles with varying aspect ratios retain common geometric scattering features.