Abstract
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 group of spherical symmetry, the group of axial symmetry, and the group of dihedral axial symmetry. The symmetry relations for the 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 symmetry, i.e., for the important case of particles with dihedral symmetry and an N-fold axis of rotation.
© 1999 Optical Society of America
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