Light scattering by ellipsoids in a physical optics approximation

A physical optics approximation based on Fresnel's laws is developed to calculate the intensity of light scattered by a three-axis ellipsoid of any orientation and any refractive index. Some results concerning totally reflecting spheres and dielectric spheroids are presented. An approach suitable for large scatterers is particularly good for small scattering angles. The angular intensities, [i.sub.1] and [i.sub.2], are then plotted versus [Theta] for large axially oriented ellipsoids of various thicknesses. Theoretical small-angle light-scattering patterns are also presented and discussed. The data from one of them correspond to red cells in a shear flow. Key words: Light scattering, physical optics approximation, ellipsoids, small-angle light-scattering patterns, red cells.