Scattering of electromagnetic waves by ensembles of particles and discrete random media

Current problems of the theory of multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves by discrete random media are reviewed, with an emphasis on densely packed media. All equations presented are based on the rigorous theory of electromagnetic scattering by an arbitrary system of non-spherical particles. The main relations are derived in the circular-polarization basis. By applying methods of statistical electromagnetics to a discrete random medium in the form of a plane-parallel layer, we transform these relations into equations describing the average (coherent) field and equations for the sums of ladder and cyclical diagrams in the framework of the quasi-crystalline approximation. The equation for the average field yields analytical expressions for the generalized Lorentz-Lorenz law and the generalized Ewald-Oseen extinction theorem, which are traditionally used for the calculation of the effective refractive index. By assuming that the particles are in the far-field zones of each other, we transform all equations asymptotically into the well-known equations for sparse media. Specifically, the equation for the sum of the ladder diagrams is reduced to the classical vector radiative transfer equation. We present a simple approximate solution of the equation describing the weak localization (WL) effect (i.e., the sum of cyclical diagrams) and validate it by using experimental and numerically exact theoretical data. Examples of the characteristics of WL as functions of the physical properties of a particulate medium are given. The applicability of the interference concept of WL to densely packed media is discussed using results of numerically exact computer solutions of the macroscopic Maxwell equations for large ensembles of spherical particles. These results show that theoretical predictions for spare media composed of non-absorbing or weakly absorbing particles are reasonably accurate if the particle packing density is less than ∼30%. However, a further increase of the packing density and/or absorption may cause optical effects not predicted by the low-density theory and caused by near-field effects. The origin of the near-filed effects is discussed in detail.     

Incoherent and coherent backscattering of light by a layer of densely packed random medium

The problem of light scattering by a layer of densely packed discrete random medium is considered. The theory of light scattering by systems of nonspherical particles is applied to derive equations corresponding to incoherent (diffuse) and interference parts of radiation reflected from the medium. A solution of the system of linear equations describing light scattering by a system of particles is represented by iteration. It is shown that the symmetry properties of the T-matrices and of the translation coefficients for the vector Helmholtz harmonics lead to the reciprocity relation for an arbitrary iteration. This relation is applied to consider the backscattering enhancement phenomenon. Equations expressing the incoherent and interference parts of reflected light from statistically homogeneous and isotropic plane-parallel layer of medium are given. In the exact backscattering direction the relation between incoherent and interference parts is identical to that of sparse media.     

Coherent backscattering by polydisperse discrete random media: exact T-matrix results

The numerically exact superposition T-matrix method is used to compute, for the first time to our knowledge, electromagnetic scattering by finite spherical volumes composed of polydisperse mixtures of spherical particles with different size parameters or different refractive indices. The backscattering patterns calculated in the far-field zone of the polydisperse multiparticle volumes reveal unequivocally the classical manifestations of the effect of weak localization of electromagnetic waves in discrete random media, thereby corroborating the universal interference nature of coherent backscattering. The polarization opposition effect is shown to be the least robust manifestation of weak localization fading away with increasing particle size parameter.     

Radiative properties of densely packed spheres in semitransparent media: A new geometric optics approach

This contribution presents a new Ray-tracing method for calculating effective radiative properties of densely packed spheres in non-absorbing or semitransparent host medium. The method is restricted to the geometric optic objects and neglects the wave effects. The effective radiative properties such as the absorption and scattering coefficients, and phase function are retrieved from the calculation of mean-free paths of scattering and absorption, and the angular scattering probability of radiation propagating in the dispersed medium. The model accounts for the two geometric effects called here as non-point scattering and ray transportation effects. The successful comparison of the current model with data of radiative properties and transmittances of particle beds in a non-absorbing medium reported in the literature confirm its suitability. It is shown that: (i) for opaque or absorbing particles (not systematically opaque), the non-point scattering is the dominant geometric effects whereas both non-point scattering and ray transportation effects occur for weakly absorbing and transparent particles. In the later cases, these two geometric effects oppose and may cancel out. This may explain why the Independent scattering theory works well for packed of quasi-transparent particles; (ii) the non-point scattering and ray transportation effects can be captured through the scattering and absorption coefficients while using the classical form of phase function. This enables using the standard radiative transfer equation (RTE); (iii) the surrounding medium absorption can be accounted for without any homogenization rule. It contributes to increasing the effective absorption coefficient of the composite medium as expected but, at the same time, it reduces the particle extinction; and (iv) the current transfer calculation predicts remarkably the results of direct Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. This study tends therefore to confirm that the RTE can be applied to densely packed media by using effective radiative properties.     

Coherent backscattering and localization in a self-attracting random walk model

Intensity propagation of waves in dilute 2D and 3D disordered systems is well described by a random walk path-model. In strongly scattering media, however, this model is not quite correct because of interference effects like coherent backscattering. In this letter, coherent backscattering is taken into account by a modified, self-attracting random walk. Straightforward simulations of this model essentially reproduce the results of current theories on “non-classical” transport behavior, i.e. Anderson localization in 1D and 2D for any amount of disorder and a phase transition from weak to strong localization in 3D. However, in the strongly scattering regime corrections are necessary to account for the finite number of light modes due to their non-vanishing lateral extention. Within our model this correction leads to the observation that strong localization does not take place. Received 17 September 2001     

Interference effects in backscattering of light by a layer of a discrete random medium

Multiple backscattering of light by a layer of a discrete random medium is considered. A brief derivation of equations for describing the coherent and incoherent components of scattered light is presented. These equations are solved numerically in the approximation of doubled scattering of light by a semi-infinite medium of spherical scatterers having a size comparable with the wavelength in order to study the effect of the properties of particles on the angular dependence of interference effects. Calculations show that the half-width of the interference peak decreases upon an increase in lateral scattering by particles and that the degree of polarization has a complex angular dependence on the properties of the particles. For an optically thin layer of the medium, the relations defining the interference peak half-width and the scattering angle upon extreme linear polarization as functions of the effective refractive index are given.     

Computer simulations for multiple scattering of light rays in systems of opaque particles

A new computer model for multiple light scattering in arbitrary systems of opaque diffusely scattering particles is considered. For ray tracing and scattering in such systems, the geometric optics approximation is used. Semi-infinite media and clusters with spherical and irregular shaped particles are investigated. The irregular particles are approximated with a discrete set of small triangular facets attached to each other. The particle surface is supposed to scatter by the Lambertian indicatrix. Scattering of the first six orders is considered, but the model can be effectively used for calculations of higher orders too. Phase-angle curves of scattering for media and clusters with different packing density are calculated. It is shown that the contributions of scattering orders rapidly diminish as the order grows even for non-absorbing particulate surfaces. Only the first scattering order shows the opposition effect and is rather sensitive to packing density. Higher orders do not show any features near zero phase angle. The contributions of high orders increase slightly, when the packing density increases. The form of particles is important mostly for the second scattering order. For clusters of particles both packing density and number of particles are important for phase function behavior. Clusters consisting of 100 particles show weak phase-angle dependences of high orders of scattering. These dependences become more prominent with increase of number of particles. Phase curves for spherical and cubic clusters are compared. It turns out that the influence of cluster shape is only a minor factor.     

Optical properties of aggregate particles comparable in size to the wavelength

The angular dependence of brightness and linear polarization of randomly oriented aggregates has been investigated in order to find rules connecting their scattering properties with their structure, packing density, complex refractive index, and number and size of the spheres forming the aggregate. Our study is based on an interpretation in terms of successive orders of scattering, in particular on the analysis of the contribution of the interference and near-field effects. Such an approach allowed us to explain and interrelate the main peculiarities of the angular dependence of the intensity and polarization displayed by aggregates. Of special interest are the aggregates showing a so-called negative branch of linear polarization of light scattered into angles close to the backscattering direction. It has been shown that the enhancement of intensity and the negative polarization in this angular range are mainly caused by the interference of multiply scattered waves as well as by near-field effects. If the number of particles in the aggregate is large enough and its size is comparable to the wavelength, the backscattering enhancement is caused by the particles in the surface layers of the aggregate, where the radiation field is mostly homogeneous, while the negative branch is mainly generated by the deeper layers of particles, where the radiation field is inhomogeneous with chaotic changes of amplitudes and phases. This results in a rather weak dependence of the negative polarization on particle location in the deeper layers of the aggregate and on particle number but not on packing density.     

Light scattering by aggregates of varying porosity and the opposition phenomena observed in the low-albedo particulate media

The rule that the opposition phenomena in brightness and linear polarization observed in many regolith surfaces usually accompany each other is violated in the cases of very dark asteroids and particulate samples: practically no nonlinear surge of brightness to opposition is observed while the branch of negative polarization at small phase angles exists. To explain this fact, we model the light scattering by particulate media with ensembles of spherical particles (with size comparable to the wavelength) of varying packing density and refractive index. The superposition T-matrix method is used. The increase in the absorption and/or packing density diminishes the amplitude of the brightness opposition peak, and its profile becomes wider. The influence on the branch of negative polarization is more complex and depends on the relation between the size parameters of the constituents, the refractive index, and the porosity. However, the feature common to all considered cases is that the negative branch changes its shape and the polarization minimum moves to the inversion point. This behavior radically differs from that observed in nonabsorbing ensembles of particles and reflects the fact that the efficiency of the coherent backscattering, which mainly determines these characteristics in nonabsorbing ensembles (to the packing density of about 30%), decreases. Moreover, since the angular profiles are not simply damped, but the polarization minimum changes its angular position, we may conclude that the near-field interaction of the constituents becomes important: the shielding of particles by each other eliminates many constituents from the scattering and the near-field effects promote the negative polarization and smooth the backscattering brightness surge. Due to this, when the packing density exceeds 10-20%, the opposition phenomena in absorbing ensembles are caused not only by the coherent backscattering, and situations, when the opposition brightness surge is practically suppressed, but the negative branch of polarization still survives, are possible. This may explain the fact that the dark regolith surfaces show no brightness opposition effect, but produce the branch of negative polarization with the minimum shifted from opposition.     

Modeling variations in near-infrared spectra caused by the coherent backscattering effect

We study a new optical effect, a spectral manifestation of coherent backscattering, which reveals itself as systematic variations in the depth of absorption bands with changing phase angle. We used Cassini VIMS near-infrared spectra of Saturn's icy satellite Rhea in order to identify and characterize the spectral change with phase angle, focusing on the change in the depth of water-ice absorption bands. To model realistic characteristics of the surfaces of icy satellites, which are most likely covered by micron-sized densely packed particles, we perform simulations using a theoretical approach based on direct computer solutions of the macroscopic Maxwell equations. Our results show that this approach can reproduce the observed phase-angle variations in the depth of the absorption bands. The modeled changes in the absorption bands are strongly affected by physical properties of the regolith, especially by the size and packing density of the ice particles. Thus, the phase-angle spectral variations demonstrate a promising remote-sensing capability for studying properties of the surfaces of icy bodies and other objects that exhibit a strong coherent backscattering effect.     

双层散射介质的单次后向散射光谱分析

从上皮组织的结构特点出发,基于米氏(Mie)散射理论,建立了双层散射介质的单次后向散射光谱的理论模型,该模型通过偏振门屏蔽来自下层的噪声背景,只保留来自上层的单次散射光。计算分析了粒子的形态学参量如平均尺寸及其分布、相对折射率变化时,单次散射光谱的特征。并用傅里叶波形分析法研究了这些参量对单次后向散射光谱曲线形状及其谐波幅值的影响。结果表明,这些只经历了表层粒子单次散射的光谱信号对表层粒子的平均尺寸及其分布、相对折射率具有灵敏性。对光谱曲线波纹结构的幅值、频率,散射强度,光谱谐波的幅值有直接的影响。研究结果对早期癌症的散射光谱特征识别及其特征提取有重要的实用价值。     

Light scattering properties of sea-salt aerosol particles inferred from modeling studies and ground-based measurements

Direct climate radiative forcing depends on the aerosol optical depth τ, the single scattering albedo ?, and the up-scatter fraction β; these quantities are functions of the refractive index of the particles, their size relative to the incident wavelength, and their shape. Sea-salt aerosols crystallize into cubic shapes or in agglomerates of cubic particles under low relative humidity conditions. The present study investigates the effects of the shape of dried sea-salt particles on the detection of light scattering from the particles. Ground-based measurements of scattering and backscattering coefficients have been performed with an integrating nephelometer instrument for a wavelength . The measurements are compared to two models: the Mie theory assuming a spherical shape for the particles and the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) model for the hypothesis of cubic shape of the sea-salt aerosols. The comparison is made accurately by taking into account the actual range of the scattering angles measured by the nephelometer in both models that is from 7° to 170° for the scattering coefficient and from 90° to 170° for the backscattering coefficient. Modeled scattering and backscattering coefficients increase for nonspherical particles compared to spherical shape of particles with diameter larger than about 1 μm. However, the comparison of the modeling results with the measurements gives best agreement for particles diameter less than about 1 μm. The size distribution of the particles is measured with two instruments with different size bins: an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). It is found that the size of the bins of the instruments to determine the number concentration of the particles in accordance with their diameter is critical in the comparison of measurements with modeling.     

Reflection of waves from a strong scatterer buried in a random medium

Reflection of waves from a mirror covered by a random layer of isotropic, absorbing scatterers is studied and the angular distribution of the scattered intensity is calculated both analytically and numerically. It is shown that backscattering enhancement as well as an enhancement of the incoherent signal in the specular direction take place even in the singly scattered random field. The dependence of the retroreflected intensity is shown to be a non-monotonic function of the depth of the mirror, with a maximum at a depth of the order of the scattering mean free path. Possibilities for employing the results obtained to detect buried strong scatterers and to retrieve parameters of the random media are discussed. In particular, it is shown that in the case of strong absorption the reflecting plane manifests itself by the presence of a peak in the retroreflected intensity which is missing from the scattering diagram of a free-standing or an infinitely thick random layer.     

Comprehensive T-matrix reference database: A 2007-2009 update

The T-matrix method is among the most versatile, efficient, and widely used theoretical techniques for the numerically exact computation of electromagnetic scattering by homogeneous and composite particles, clusters of particles, discrete random media, and particles in the vicinity of an interface separating two half-spaces with different refractive indices. This paper presents an update to the comprehensive database of T-matrix publications compiled by us previously and includes the publications that appeared since 2007. It also lists several earlier publications not included in the original database.     

Comprehensive T-matrix reference database: A 2009–2011 update

The T-matrix method is one of the most versatile and efficient theoretical techniques widely used for the computation of electromagnetic scattering by single and composite particles, discrete random media, and particles in the vicinity of an interface separating two half-spaces with different refractive indices. This paper presents an update to the comprehensive database of peer-reviewed T-matrix publications compiled by us previously and includes the publications that appeared since 2009. It also lists several earlier publications not included in the original database.     

随机介质的相干背散射与局域化研究

研究了不同尺度参数和粒子浓度下的ZnO随机介质相干背散射强度的分布规律,采用时域有限差分法分析了不同浓度随机介质的光场能量空间分布,预测了随机激光器阈值的高低。结果表明:同一折射率的介质随着介质尺寸的增大,相干背散射的带宽变窄,局域化参量kl值相应增大,使得局域化程度呈较大幅度减弱趋势;并且随着介质浓度的增加,相干背散射的带宽变宽,局域化程度增强,阈值降低。相干背散射有着光子局域化的先期特征,现在已成为研究光子局域化出现与否的基本判断依据,对研究光子局域化以及随机激光器具有重要意义。     

The scattering matrix of transparent particles of random shape in the geometrical optics approximation

A numerical model that allows one to calculate elements of the scattering matrix for transparent particles of random shape in the geometrical optics approximation is presented. It is shown that a deviation from sphericity, which, in particular, is modeled by a reduction of the number of triangular facets approximating a sphere, essentially affects the magnitude, position, and width of peaks of the photometric and polarimetric indicatrices. Thus, when 1500 facets were used for the approximation, the amplitude of the polarimetric peak associated with the first rainbow, which is located close to the scattering angle 160°, decreases by a factor of two. Calculations showed that, in the region of backscattering, for particles of an arbitrary shape, the linear polarization ?F ₁₂/F ₁₁ has no negative branch, which is well observed for spherical particles. In going from spherical to nonspherical particles, the backscattering peak also disappears. The indicatrices for particles of irregular shape that were calculated for small distances from the center of a particle noticeably differ from the indicatrices at infinity. Thus, when simulating multiple scattering in dense powderlike media, the use of particle scattering indicatrices that were calculated for infinite distances is incorrect even in the geometrical optics approximation.     

Light scattering by a sphere with variable optical properties of the intermediate layer

A two-parameter model of a scattering spherical particle with a layer of a variable thickness (the first parameter), inside which the refractive index is specified by an arbitrary continuous function (the second parameter), is proposed. An algorithm for calculating the extinction and backscattering efficiency factors with the help of a developed piecewise-hyperbolic approximation of the scattering coefficients is presented. A correct choice of the parameters allowed us to obtain good agreement between the experimental and calculated data on the extinction and backscattering efficiency for typical polydisperse systems of particles of irregular shape.     

Light scattering by a spherical particle with multiple densely packed inclusions

This paper calculates light scattering by a spherical water particle containing densely packed inclusions at a visible wavelength 0.55 \mum by a combination of ray-tracing and Monte Carlo techniques. While the individual reflection and refraction events at the outer boundary of a sphere particle are considered by a ray-tracing program, the Monte Carlo routine simulates internal scattering processes. The main advantage of this method is that the shape of the particle can be arbitrary, and multiple scattering can be considered in the internal scattering processes. A dense-medium light-scattering theory based on the introduction of the static structure factor is used to calculate the phase function and asymmetry parameters for densely packed inclusions. Numerical results of the single scattering characteristics for a sphere containing multiple densely packed inclusions are given.