Cusp diffraction catastrophe from spheroids: generalized rainbows and inverse scattering

Abstract

The angular location of the recently discovered cusp pattern in the far-field scattering from an oblate spheroid is calculated as a function of the aspect ratio D/H. The calculation assumes the diameter D ≫ λ and is limited to illumination perpendicular to the short axis of the spheroid. It agrees with observations for water drops in the range 1.22 < D/H < 1.37 with D ~ 1 mm.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

Opening rate of the transverse cusp diffraction catastrophe in light scattered by oblate spheroidal drops

Cleon E. Dean and Philip L. Marston
Appl. Opt. 30(24) 3443-3451 (1991)

Scattering of white light from levitated oblate water drops near rainbows and other diffraction catastrophes

Harry J. Simpson and Philip L. Marston
Appl. Opt. 30(24) 3468-3473 (1991)

Generalized rainbows and unfolded glories of oblate drops: organization for multiple internal reflections and extension of cusps into Alexander's dark band

Philip L. Marston and Gregory Kaduchak
Appl. Opt. 33(21) 4702-4713 (1994)

E₆ diffraction catastrophe of the primary rainbow of oblate water drops: observations with white-light and laser illumination

Gregory Kaduchak, Philip L. Marston, and Harry J. Simpson
Appl. Opt. 33(21) 4691-4696 (1994)

Hyperbolic umbilic and E₆ diffraction catastrophes associated with the secondary rainbow of oblate water drops: observations with laser illumination

Gregory Kaduchak and Philip L. Marston
Appl. Opt. 33(21) 4697-4701 (1994)