Numerically exact computer simulations of light scattering by densely packed, random particulate media

Direct computer simulations of electromagnetic scattering by discrete random media have become an active area of research. In this progress review, we summarize and analyze our main results obtained by means of numerically exact computer solutions of the macroscopic Maxwell equations. We consider finite scattering volumes with size parameters in the range [20] and [59], composed of varying numbers of randomly distributed particles with different refractive indices. The main objective of our analysis is to examine whether all backscattering effects predicted by the low-density theory of coherent backscattering (CB) also take place in the case of densely packed media. Based on our extensive numerical data we arrive at the following conclusions: (i) all backscattering effects predicted by the asymptotic theory of CB can also take place in the case of densely packed media; (ii) in the case of very large particle packing density, scattering characteristics of discrete random media can exhibit behavior not predicted by the low-density theories of CB and radiative transfer; (iii) increasing the absorptivity of the constituent particles can either enhance or suppress typical manifestations of CB depending on the particle packing density and the real part of the refractive index. Our numerical data strongly suggest that spectacular backscattering effects identified in laboratory experiments and observed for a class of high-albedo Solar System objects are caused by CB.     

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.     

Effect of a pulse entrapping on weak localization of waves in a resonant random medium

We consider theoretically a new physical effect in coherent backscattering enhancement (CBE) of electromagnetic or acoustic non-stationary waves from a discrete random medium under condition of Mie resonant scattering. The effect manifests itself as an angle-cone broadening of a short pulsed signal CBE from the resonant random medium, compared with the case of a non-resonant random medium. The cone broadening is associated with a pulse-entrapping effect when the pulse, while propagating within the resonant random medium, spends most of the time being 'entrapped' inside scatterers. A theory for the predicted effect is based on, first, the well known relation between the contributions of the ladder and cyclical diagrams to the time spectral density of the wave electric field coherence function and, second, a recently derived radiative transfer equation with three Lorentzian kernels of delay describing a pulse entrapping in an ensemble of resonant point-like scatterers. Using the generalized Chandrasekhar H-function, we obtain an exact analytic expression for the non-stationary albedo of the semi-infinite resonant random medium, taking into account the phenomena of a pulse CBE and entrapping. A simple analytic asymptotics is found for the albedo of the later part of the scattered pulse. This asymptotics shows quantitatively how the entrapping affects the peak amplitude and peak line shape of the CBE of a short pulse.     

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.     

Non-perturbative Methods in Relativistic Field Theory

This talk reviews relativistic methods used to compute bound and low energy scattering states in field theory, with emphasis on approaches that John Tjon and I discussed (and argued about) together. I compare the Bethe–Salpeter and Covariant Spectator equations, show some applications, and then report on some of the things we have learned from the beautiful Feynman–Schwinger technique for calculating the exact sum of all ladder and crossed ladder diagrams in field theory.     

Multiple Scattering Solution of Millimeter Wave Propagation in Strong Sandstorm

As the operating frequencies of communication systems more higher into the millimeter wave range, and the density of particles in medium is more denser, the effects of multiple scattering in sandstorm become more significant. This paper treats the problems of electromagnetic multiple scattering in strong sandstorm by the Monte Carlo method. Based on the analytical theory of multiple scattering, the millimeter wave propagation and scattering in discrete random media are investigated by means of the particle-tracking technique. The millimeter wave is regarded as a Markov chain of wave particle collisions in a medium in which it is scattered and absorbed. Considering the effect of multiple scattering, millimeter wave attenuation induced by strong sandstorm is simulated numerically. The values of theoretical calculation are in good agreement with the measured results of simulated experiment at 34 and 93 GHz.     

Coherent backscattering of light by a layer of discrete random medium

We consider the problem of backscattering of light by a layer of discrete random medium illuminated by an obliquely incident plane electromagnetic wave. The multiply scattered reflected radiation is assumed to consist of incoherent and coherent parts, the coherent part being caused by the interference of multiply scattered waves. Formulas describing the characteristics of the reflected radiation are derived assuming that the scattering particles are spherical. The formula for the incoherent contribution reproduces the standard vector radiative transfer equation. The interference contribution is expressed in terms of a system of Fredholm integral equations with kernels containing Bessel functions. The special case of the backscattering direction is considered in detail. It is shown that the angular width of the backscattering interference peak depends on the polar angle of the incident wave and on the azimuth angle of the reflection direction.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Electromagnetic scattering by a morphologically complex object: Fundamental concepts and common misconceptions

Following Keller (Proc Symp Appl Math 1962;13:227-46), we classify all theoretical treatments of electromagnetic scattering by a morphologically complex object into first-principle (or “honest” in Keller's terminology) and phenomenological (or “dishonest”) categories. This helps us identify, analyze, and dispel several profound misconceptions widespread in the discipline of electromagnetic scattering by solitary particles and discrete random media. Our goal is not to call for a complete renunciation of phenomenological approaches but rather to encourage a critical and careful evaluation of their actual origin, virtues, and limitations. In other words, we do not intend to deter creative thinking in terms of phenomenological short-cuts, but we do want to raise awareness when we stray (often for practical reasons) from the fundamentals. The main results and conclusions are illustrated by numerically-exact data based on direct numerical solutions of the macroscopic Maxwell equations.     

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.     

烟尘中电磁波传输特性的Monte Carlo模拟

根据等效颗粒模型和分形理论,运用Mie理论和离散偶极子近似方法分别计算了烟尘簇团粒子在波长为06328?μm的电磁波入射情况下的单次散射特性.根据辐射输运理论,利用Monte Carlo方法对电磁波在烟尘中的传输特性进行数值计算,给出烟尘中反射率和透射率随入射角和烟尘厚度变化的数值结果,并分析了入射角、烟尘粒子的密度和厚度对反射率和透射率的影响.这为研究电磁波在密集分布介质中的传输特性提供了一种方法. 关键词： 烟尘粒子 离散偶极子近似 传输特性 Monte Carlo模拟     

High-order FDTD methods for transverse electromagnetic systems in dispersive inhomogeneous media

This Letter introduces a novel finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) formulation for solving transverse electromagnetic systems in dispersive media. Based on the auxiliary differential equation approach, the Debye dispersion model is coupled with Maxwell's equations to derive a supplementary ordinary differential equation for describing the regularity changes in electromagnetic fields at the dispersive interface. The resulting time-dependent jump conditions are rigorously enforced in the FDTD discretization by means of the matched interface and boundary scheme. High-order convergences are numerically achieved for the first time in the literature in the FDTD simulations of dispersive inhomogeneous media.     

Light scattering on nanowire antennas: A semi-analytical approach

Two semi-analytical approaches to solve the problem of light scattering on nanowire antennas are developed and compared. The derivation is based on the exact solution of the plane wave scattering problem in case of an infinite cylinder. The original three-dimensional problem is reduced in two alternative ways to a simple one-dimensional integral equation, which can be solved numerically by a method of moments approach. Scattering cross sections of gold nanowire antennas with different lengths and aspect ratios are analyzed for the optical and near-infrared spectral range. Comparison of the proposed semi-analytical methods with the numerically rigorous discrete dipole approximation method demonstrates good agreement as well as superior numerical performance.     

Solvability of linear kinetic equations with multi-energetic inelastic scattering

In this paper we shall analyse the linear Boltzmann equation describing the motion of test particles through a background of heavy field particles that can appear in several energy states. The inelastic scattering process consists in the exchange of quanta of energy between the field and test particles. The well-posedness of the problem is investigated by means of the substochastic semigroup theory and the conditions on the scattering collision frequencies are given for the evolution to keep the collision rate finite and to preserve the total number of particles.     

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.     

Self-energy effect in a relativistic bound state problem

A modification of the Wick-Cutkosky equation for the relativistic bound state of two scalar particles interacting through the exchange of a massless scalar field within the ladder approximation has been considered by incorporating the self-energy diagrams in the integral kernel. An exact analytical solution of the equation is obtained at vanishing total energy and it is shown that the self-energy effects generally diminish the eigenvalues in agreement with the findings of Liet al, who, however solved the equation numerically for the case of massive scalar exchange. An additional feature of the modified equation is that it preserves the 0(5) symmetry at zero total energy as was first noted by Cutkosky for the scalar bound state equation without self-energy effects.