Measurement of back-scattering patterns from single laser trapped aerosol particles in air

We demonstrate a method for measuring elastic back-scattering patterns from single laser trapped micron-sized particles, spanning the scattering angle range of θ=167.7°-180° and φ=0°-360° in spherical coordinates. We calibrated the apparatus by capturing light-scattering patterns of 10 μm diameter borosilicate glass microspheres and comparing their scattered intensities with Lorenz-Mie theory. Back-scattering patterns are also presented from a single trapped Johnson grass spore, two attached Johnson grass spores, and a cluster of Johnson grass spores. The method has potential use in characterizing airborne aerosol particles, and may be used to provide back-scattering data for lidar applications.