A sequence of rainbows is produced in light scattering by a particle of high symmetry in the short-wavelength Limit, and a supernumerary interference pattern occurs to one side of each rainbow. Using both a ray-tracing procedure and the Debye-series decomposition of first-order perturbation wave theory, I examine the spacing of the supernumerary maxima and minima as a function of the cylinder rotation angle when an elliptical-cross-section cylinder is normally illuminated by a plane wave. I find that the supernumerary spacing depends sensitively on the cylinder-cross-section shape, and the spacing varies sinusoidally as a function of the cylinder rotation angle for small cylinder ellipticity. I also find that relatively large uncertainties in the supernumerary spacing affect the rainbow angle only minimally. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 290.0290, 290.4020, 080.1510.
Article
Supernumerary Spacing of Rainbows Produced by an Elliptical-Cross-Section Cylinder. I. Theory
Applied Optics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-20-2000
Disciplines
Abstract
DOI
10.1364/AO.39.005040
Version
Publisher's PDF
Publisher's Statement
This paper was published in Applied Optics and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-39-27-5040. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.
Citation Information
Lock, James A. "Supernumerary Spacing of Rainbows Produced by an Elliptical-Cross-Section Cylinder. I. Theory." Applied Optics 39 (2000): 5040-5051.