The scattering matrix for randomly oriented particles

Abstract

An efficient numerical method is derived for evaluation of the scattering properties of randomly distributed particles described by the coupled dipole approximation. An exact analytic average for these properties is also derived. All elements of the scattering matrix for a collection of randomly oriented particles can be obtained by either method. The results are applicable to model calculations of the scattering matrix for realistic particles. The analytic average also allows qualitative interpretation of the dependence of the matrix elements on dipolar interactions.