Abstract

Scattering of light from single spheres placed behind a glass–air interface with light incident through the glass is examined. This scattering is investigated for both p- and s-polarized light incident at angles below the glass–air critical angle. The intensity of light scattered into the air half-space from each sphere is measured as a function of scattering angle, and this response is compared in situ with the background scatter produced by the planar substrate. A detailed comparison between data and established theory are thereby obtained. This system is of interest in the field of optical biosensing.

© 2003 Optical Society of America

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