ECE532 Biomedical Optics © 1998 Steven L. Jacques, Scott A. Prahl Oregon Graduate Institute

Scattering versus wavelength for 3 particle sizes

Consider the three optical scattering properties, µ_s, g, and µ_s(1 - g), as functions of wavelength for a spherical particle with n_p = 1.5721 in a medium with n_med = 1.3316 at a concentration of 0.1% volume fraction (f_v = 0.001). Assume that n_p and n_med are constant versus wavelength for this example calculation.

Let the sphere be one of three sizes: 0.100 µm, 0.300 µm, and 1.00 µm.

The Mie theory calculation yields:

µ_s

g

µ_s(1 - g)

Note: The true n_p and n_med for polysytrene spheres and water are slightly wavelength dependent and would deviate slightly from the above example.