We investigate Raman scattering from optically deformed droplets both theoretically and experimentally. Using a dual-beam optical trap, single aqueous aerosol microdroplets are held in an environmentally controlled cell and deformed, while both input and output resonances are simultaneously excited. Our systematic investigation shows that, depending on the scattering angle and whispering gallery mode (WGM) order and polarization, drastically different line shapes can be observed. The inelastic light scattering formalism developed here accounts for the profile of the excitation beam and the nonspherical shape of the optically deformed particle. Model calculations are in good agreement with measured Raman spectra and correctly predict the splitting of WGMs in measured spectra. The experiments and model presented here enable the accurate characterization of nanometer-sized deformations in micrometer-sized particles, which has many potential applications.
Aerosol particles are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and currently contribute a large uncertainty to climate models. Part of the endeavour to reduce this uncertainty takes the form of improving our...
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