A simple student laboratory practice for the study of light scattering by cylindrical bodies

Abstract

The study of light scattering by cylindrical bodies is of great importance in many aspects, but most of the time; it is studied in a very theoretical manner. In that work, we present a simple manner to study scattering of light by cylindrical bodies. The method combines the use of a simple experimental set-up using a He-Ne laser as a source, a circular paper screen, and the use of a simple code for simulation using the Lorentz-Mie formalism. In that way, the student can compare the experimental results with the simulation. They can qualitatively notice the difference of the behavior of scattering by a low-loss dielectric cylinder, a metallic cylinder, and an absorbing cylinder. Simulation can help students to follow the evolution of the scattering regime when the relative diameter of the cylinder, with respect to the incident wavelength, changes. A focus is stressed especially when the radius becomes far below the wavelength.