Investigation of Domains of Validity of Approximation Methods in Forward Light Scattering from Long Cylinders

Abstract

Domains of validity of approximation methods in light scattering from non-absorbing transparent long cylinders of diameter h 5 w m have been clearly identified. Numerical comparisons between these methods and the exact theory for various values of the refractive index and size parameter of the cylinder are presented. The utility of the eikonal approximation and the corrections to this approximation is emphasized.