Light Scattering and Radiative Processes is a sub-area of the Centre for Atmospheric & Instrumentation
Research (CAIR). Researchers from this area have been engaged for
nearly thirty years in the theory and application of laser light
scattering to non-destructive measurement and characterisation of
microparticles and living cells. Optical trapping
and electrodynamic levitation techniques have
also been developed and refined (e.g. through work on beam theory and
theoretical optics) to support fundamental
experimental investigations of particle scattering phenomena. A study
taking advantage of particle trapping focuses on scattering properties
of atmospheric ice crystals. We also describe a
recent discovery of aerosol particle alignment in
the atmosphere, together with its consequences for remote sensing
and dust transport. Theoretical work encompasses both direct and inverse
scattering problems (respectively, computation of scattering from the
knowledge of particle properties, and extraction of particle parameters
such as size, shape and refractive index from scattering data) for
particles of various geometries. The direct problems research currently
concentrates on scattering from faceted
objects such as crystals. The inverse problems research includes
novel transform techniques based on Gegenbauer
polynomials, the application of neural networks and the development
of global stochastic optimization methods. Sponsors of the Group's work
have included the EPSRC, NERC and industry. The research interacts
closely with CAIR's Particle Instruments &
Diagnostics, who have implemented many of the LSRP developments as
practical instrument systems, Atmospheric Dynamics & Air
Quality sub-areas, and Centre for Astrophysics
Research. We recommend you visit their pages too.
Contact
Dr Joseph Z. Ulanowski
STRI
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AB
UK
T: +44 (0) 1707 284604
F: +44 (0) 1707 284185
E: z.ulanowski 
herts.ac.uk