Numerical study of scattering and polarisation characteristics of marine spherical aerosol particles illuminated by non-diffracting Tricomi beams

Abstract

Abstract Non-diffracting light beams have exceptional self-healing and propagation characteristics that make them unique for free-space optical communication, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing. Tricomi beams are a novel type of diffraction-free, structure-shaped beam whose scattering characteristics in humid maritime aerosol environments remain mostly unexplored. In this work, we present a comprehensive theoretical study of the scattering as well as the polarisation response of marine spherical aerosol particles illuminated by non-diffracting Tricomi beams. We use the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory to calculate the Tricomi beam shape coefficients. Then we examine the far-field scattering intensity and polarisation characteristics. We display that the scattering intensity and polarisation response can be meticulously controlled by tuning the beam configuration parameters, i.e., topological charge, asymmetry parameters, and half-cone angle, alongside variations in marine aerosol size and refractive index impacted by the relative humidity factor. The scattered intensity is enhanced by increasing the aerosol radius or topological charge, whereas the presence of marine aerosols caused by humidity induces significant changes for scattering amplitude as well as relative polarisation response. These findings explore Tricomi beams’ basic scattering response in humid maritime surroundings and highlight their potential for vigorous optical communication over aerosol-laden channels and polarisation-based environmental monitoring.