Numerical simulations of light scattering by red blood cells

Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a red blood cell is simulated using the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD), the Rytov approximation and the discrete dipole approximation (DDA). Both FDTD and DDA are full wave methods that give accurate results in a wide range of wavelengths. The Rytov approximation is a much simpler method that is limited to scattering angles within 30/spl deg/ from the forward direction. The investigation comprehends different wavelengths and different orientations of the cell. It shows that the shape, volume, and orientation of the cell have a large influence on the forward scattering.