SCATTERING OF LIGHT BY A SPHERE WITH AN ARBITRARY RADIALLY VARIABLE REFRACTIVE INDEX

摘要

Based on the piecewise-continuous hyperbolic approximation (PCHA), we have developed a numerically stable and accurate algorithm for computation of the internal and scattered fields, as well as energetic characteristics, of a sphere with an arbitrary radially variable complex refractive index. The algorithm is cast in terms of the power functions, which overcomes a number of problems associated with round-off errors. The method of computation is tested with known solutions relating to the particular cases of the problem. The PCHA is proved to be convergent. The PCHA allows one to solve the scattering problem associated with an arbitrary complex radially variable refractive index in terms of the simplest functions. The PCHA makes it possible to construct the formal refractive index contour reproducing the scattering experimental data considerably more accurately than the Mie theory. This result is of importance in remote sensing problems. Several examples of calculations for the scattering function of cosmic fluffy dust particles are presented.