A relation is developed between point-group symmetries of light-scattering particles and symmetry relations for the electromagnetic scattering solution in the T-matrix formulation. A systematic derivation of a representation of symmetry operations is presented in the vector space on which the T matrix operates. From this the set of symmetry relations of the T matrix is obtained for various point groups. As examples several symmetry groups relevant to modeling atmospheric particles are treated, such as the K group of spherical symmetry, the C_∞v group of axial symmetry, and the D_∞h group of dihedral axial symmetry. The D_∞h symmetry relations for the T matrix in spheroidal coordinates (denoted by script font) are also derived. Previously known symmetry relations of the T matrix can be verified, and new relations are found for D_Nh symmetry, i.e., for the important case of particles with dihedral symmetry and an N-fold axis of rotation.

© 1999 Optical Society of America

[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

Related Journal Articles

• Two-dimensional angular optical scattering for the characterization of airborne microparticles (OL)
• Two-dimensional angular optical scattering patterns as droplets evolve into clusters (OL)
• Calculation of the Amplitude Matrix for a Nonspherical Particle in a Fixed Orientation (AO)
• Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves by Spheroidal Particles: A Novel Approach Exploiting the T Matrix Computed in Spheroidal Coordinates (AO)
• Light scattering on hexagonal ice columns (JOSAA)

Related Conference Papers

• Near-Field Mediated Terahertz Transmission through Random Media
• Rapid Broad Spectrum Bacterial Detection Using Electromagnetic Cellular Polarization and Optical Scattering
• Investigations on the Origin of the Terahertz Transmission through Random Metallic Media
• A New Optical Scattering Technique for Accurate Determination of Micro-Particle Size for Early Cancer Detections
• The Effect of Disorder on Band Gaps in Two-Dimensional Quasi-Periodic Photonic Crystals