Angular distribution of light scattered by single biological cells and oriented particle agglomerates

We used a flow cytometer together with an intensified CCD camera to record spatially resolved light scattering from micrometer-sized single particles and single oriented particle agglomerates. Experimental differential cross sections of an oriented dumbbell made from two identical polystyrene spheres were compared with theoretical values calculated within the discrete dipole approximation, and good agreement was achieved. Furthermore, characteristic two-dimensional patterns of the scattered-light intensity were recorded for single blood cells, yielding information on the cells' shape and volume. Besides flow cytometry, we observed and analyzed differential light scatter of particle clusters of known size, shape, and orientation located within an optical trap. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.