Abstract
The intensity of light scattered by an air bubble in water is predicted by the geometric-optics calculation of Davis (1955) to have a divergent angular derivative as the critical scattering angle ϕc is approached. Effects of diffraction in the angular region near ϕc are described here. The Fraunhofer diffraction for scattering angles ϕ≤ϕc is estimated using a simplified physical-optics approximation. A ringing and decay of the far-field intensity is predicted that is formally similar to the near-field diffraction of a straight edge. Observation of millimeter radius bubbles in water with collimated monochromatic illumination confirm the existence of this ringing which has a quasi period ≃ 25 mrad. The diffraction calculation gives an approximate description of the relative ϕ of the observed maxima and minima. Fringes with a lower contrast and spacing ≃ 0.3 mrad were also observed; they appear to be caused by the interference of rays with distinct paths. Implications for the critical angle scattering of white light are discussed.
© 1979 Optical Society of America
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David L. MacAdam, Leo M. Hurvich, Dorothea Jameson, and Philip L. Marston, "Errata," J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70, 353_1-353 (1980)https://opg.optica.org/josa/abstract.cfm?uri=josa-70-3-353_1
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