Polarized scattering by Gaussian random particles under radiative torques

•Polarization by arbitrary shaped particles is studied using state-of-the-art methods.•Monochromatic radiation aligns a statistical ensemble of Gaussian random ellipsoids.•Aligned particles affect the polarization of scattered radiation.•The method, with additions, can be applied to study of polarization of starlight.

We study the internal alignment of a statistical ensemble of Gaussian random ellipsoids with respect to the radiation direction. We solve the rigid body dynamics due to scattering forces and torques, using a numerically exact and efficient T-matrix solver for arbitrary particle shapes and compositions. We then compare the polarization of the aligned ensemble to a randomly oriented ensemble and a perfectly aligned ensemble. We find that the ensemble becomes partially aligned under monochromatic radiation and that the internal alignment has an significant effect on the intensity and polarization of the scattered light.