A general solution to the problem of measuring the size distribution of large particles in optically thick media by using small-angle light scattering is presented. The approach is general in the sense that no assumption of the form of the particle-size distribution function is required, although the particles must be distributed uniformly throughout the medium. The method is based on a successive order, discrete ordinates approach for modeling multiple-scattering phenomena and requires that the particle field be interrogated by using an array of near-forward input light angles. The scattering redistribution matrix is thereby determined, which permits a numerical inversion of the problem to obtain the single-scattering signature. Finally, conventional inverse scattering methods are used to reconstruct the particle-size distribution from the near-forward (single-scattering) light-scattering pattern.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription