We derive the formula of the Debye-series decomposition for normally incident plane-wave scattering by an infinite multilayered cylinder. A comparison of the scattering diagrams calculated by the Debye series and Mie theory for a graded-index polymer optical fiber is given and the agreement is found to be satisfied. This approach permits us to simulate the rainbow intensity distribution of any single order and the interference of several orders, which is of good use to the study of the scattering characteristics of an inhomogeneous cylinder and to the measurement of the refractive index profile of an inhomogeneous cylinder.