Effect of optical contrast

Change the sphere refractive index at fixed diameter, wavelength, and medium. The resulting cross sections describe isolated spheres, without structural correlations between particles.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
from PackLab import scattering, ureg

indices = [1.36, 1.42, 1.50, 1.59, 1.70]
cross_sections = []
for index in indices:
    dataset = scattering.compute_scattering_amplitudes(
        wavelength=532 * ureg.nanometer,
        diameters=np.array([200]) * ureg.nanometer,
        material=index,
        medium=1.33,
        phi=np.linspace(-90, 90, 181) * ureg.degree,
    )
    dataset.process()
    cross_sections.append(dataset.Csca.to("nanometer**2").magnitude[0])
figure, axis = plt.subplots()
axis.plot(indices, cross_sections, "o-")
axis.set(
    xlabel="sphere refractive index",
    ylabel="scattering cross section (nm²)",
    title="Optical contrast in a medium of index 1.33",
)
axis.grid(alpha=0.2)
figure.tight_layout()