Structure of polarization fluctuations and their relation to particle shape

The results of calculations and experiment are presented for second-order f luctuations of the polarization state of light scattered by ensembles of sm all non-spherical particles. Analytical results for spheroids in the small particle (Rayleigh) limit are extended by numerical modelling using the T-m atrix or extended boundary condition technique and validated with a laborat ory experiment. Both Gaussian and non-Gaussian scattering regimes are discu ssed, and the possibility of using measurements of these fluctuations to ch aracterize the shape of both small (Rayleigh) and larger particles is consi dered. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.