On retrieving shape information from scattering phase matrices using a distribution of spheroids

Abstract

Phase matrices of spheroids are fitted to phase matrices of reference particles with identical sizes and refractive indices to test how well spheroids can be used to retrieve shape information from less symmetric target particles.  It is found that shapes of best-fit spheroids do not correlate well with shapes of the reference particles even when the phase matrix is reproduced well by the spheroids. Spheroids thus appear to be unsuited for retrieving shape information from scattered light.