Effect of the uncertainty of the shape of a distribution on its parameters retrieval using the scattering matrix of quartz suspension

Scattering matrices of an aqueous suspension of quartz were measured at a wavelength of 0.63 μm in the scattering angle range of 10°–150°. The angular dependences of matrix elements were measured with a laser polarimeter the optical scheme of which contained two electro-optical modulators. The results of measurements were compared with the data of calculation for scatterers having the shape of prolate ellipsoids. It was shown that, under conditions of wide distribution of particles by size and at a dimensional parameter value of 2.1, the uncertainty of the shape of the distribution leads to an increase in the error of the retrieval of the parameters of the suspension particle distribution.