LIGHT SCATTERING PROPERTIES OF CELLS
G. C. Salzman l , S. Brito Singham 2 ,
R. G. Johnston\ and C. F. Bohren 4
ILife Sciences Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Mail Stop M880, P.O. Box 1663
Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA
23681 Townley Road
Cleveland, OR 14122 USA
3Chemistry and Laser Science Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Mail Stop J565, P.O. Box 1663
Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA
4Department of Meteorology
Pennsylvania State University
503 Walker Building
University Park, PA 16802 USA (4)
INTRODUCTION
Light scattering has been associated with flow cytometry from its very beginnings. Its primary
use has been in discriminating among cells based on differences in size, shape, refractive
index, and the presences of internal structures. The sensitivity of light scattering to all these
properties makes it a difficult phenomena to interpret. Various theories are useful for
interpreting parts of this powerful tool.
The discussion begins with a presentation of the basic concepts in scattering. The disposition
of the elementary units comprising a particle is shown to be as important as the composition
of the material from which the particle is made. Polarization concepts are then discussed
because they offer a way to improve discrimination among cell types. Some of the standard
theories developed to explain parts of the light scattering puzzle are then presented. The
coupled dipole approximation is then discussed and examples are given of how this theory can
NATO AS! Series, Vol. G 27
Particle Analysis in Oceanography
Edited by S. Demers
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991
G. C. Salzman l , S. Brito Singham 2 ,
R. G. Johnston\ and C. F. Bohren 4
ILife Sciences Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Mail Stop M880, P.O. Box 1663
Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA
23681 Townley Road
Cleveland, OR 14122 USA
3Chemistry and Laser Science Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Mail Stop J565, P.O. Box 1663
Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA
4Department of Meteorology
Pennsylvania State University
503 Walker Building
University Park, PA 16802 USA (4)
INTRODUCTION
Light scattering has been associated with flow cytometry from its very beginnings. Its primary
use has been in discriminating among cells based on differences in size, shape, refractive
index, and the presences of internal structures. The sensitivity of light scattering to all these
properties makes it a difficult phenomena to interpret. Various theories are useful for
interpreting parts of this powerful tool.
The discussion begins with a presentation of the basic concepts in scattering. The disposition
of the elementary units comprising a particle is shown to be as important as the composition
of the material from which the particle is made. Polarization concepts are then discussed
because they offer a way to improve discrimination among cell types. Some of the standard
theories developed to explain parts of the light scattering puzzle are then presented. The
coupled dipole approximation is then discussed and examples are given of how this theory can
NATO AS! Series, Vol. G 27
Particle Analysis in Oceanography
Edited by S. Demers
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991