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On the basis of generalized Lorenz--Mie theory, the Debye series expansion (DSE) for radiation pressure forces (RPF) exerted on a multilayered sphere induced by focused beams is introduced. The DSE can isolate the contribution of each scattering process to RPF, and give a physical explanation of RPF. Typically, the RPF induced by a Gaussian beam is studied. The DSE is employed to the simulation of RPF corresponding to different scattering processes (diffraction, reflection, refraction, etc.) in detail, and gives the physical mechanism of RPF. The effects of various parameters, such as scattering mode p, beam position, and radius of core for coated spheres, to RPF is researched. [c] 2010 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 350.4855, 290.5850, 290.0290, 290.4020.

By means of geometrical optics we present an approximation method for acceleration of the computation of the scattering intensity distribution within a forward angular range (0-60[degrees]) for gradient-index spheres illuminated by a plane wave. The incident angle of reflected light is determined by the scattering angle, thus improving the approximation accuracy. The scattering angle and the optical path length are numerically integrated by a general-purpose integrator. With some special index models, the scattering angle and the optical path length can be expressed by a unique function and the calculation is faster. This method is proved effective for transparent particles with size parameters greater than 50. It fails to give good approximation results at scattering angles whose refractive rays are in the backward direction. For different index models, the geometrical-optics approximation is effective only for forward angles, typically those less than 60[degrees] or when the refractive-index difference of a particle is less than a certain value. OCIS codes: 080.0080, 290.4020, 290.5850, 200.0200.

The Debye series has been a key tool for the understanding of light scattering features, and it is also a convenient method for understanding and improving the design of optical instruments aimed at optical particle sizing. Gouesbet has derived the Debye series formulation for generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (GLMT). However, the scattering object is a homogeneous sphere, and no numerical result is provided. The Debye series formula for plane-wave scattering by multilayered spheres has been derived before. We have devoted our work to the Debye series of Gaussian beam scattering by multilayered spheres. The integral localized approximation is employed in the calculation of beam-shape coefficients (BSCs) and allows the study of the scattering characteristics of particles illuminated by the strongly focused beams. The formula and code are verified by the comparison with the results produced by GLMT and also by the comparison with the result for the case of plane-wave incidence. The formula is also employed in the simulation of the first rainbow by illuminating the particle with one or several narrow beams. OCIS codes: 290.5850, 290.4020, 140.0140, 080.2710, 260.0260.

We derive the formula of the Debye-series decomposition for normally incident plane-wave scattering by an infinite multilayered cylinder. A comparison of the scattering diagrams calculated by the Debye series and Mie theory for a graded-index polymer optical fiber is given and the agreement is found to be satisfied. This approach permits us to simulate the rainbow intensity distribution of any single order and the interference of several orders, which is of good use to the study of the scattering characteristics of an inhomogeneous cylinder and to the measurement of the refractive index profile of an inhomogeneous cylinder. OCIS codes: 290.4020, 290.5850, 080.2710, 260.2110.

We have derived the formula for the Debye-series decomposition for light scattering by a multilayered sphere. This formulism permits the mechanism of light scattering to be studied. An efficient algorithm is introduced that permits stable calculation for a large sphere with many layers. The formation of triple first-order rainbows by a three-layered sphere and single-order rainbows and the interference of different-order rainbows by a sphere with a gradient refractive index, are then studied by use of the Debye model and Mie calculation. The possibility of taking only one single mode or several modes for each laver is shown to be useful in the study of the scattering characteristics of a multilayered sphere and in the measurement of the sizes and refractive indices of particles. OCIS codes: 290.4020, 290.5850, 080.2710, 260.2110.