Error contour charts are presented which compare the approximate Fraunhofer diffraction theory with the exact solution of Maxwell's equations for infinitely long cylinders of circular cross-section. The comparison is made over angular ranges which extend well beyond the forward scattering lobe. For light of wavelength 632.8 nm the two theories agree well for absorbing cylinders as small as 4 mu m diameter. However, for non-absorbing cylinders having diameters less than 20 mu m the agreement is poor. The implications of these results to fibre sizing are briefly discussed.
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Powers et al. (1979) studied this question.
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