Propagation of light through a monolayer of particles: Analysis of phase and coherent transmittance

Phase variations of a wave transmitted through a monolayer of spherical scatterers are studied as functions of size, optical constants, and particle concentration for light incident normally to the surface of the layer. The analysis is performed in the quasi-crystal approximation of the theory of multiple scattering of waves and in the single scattering approximation. The results obtained allow one to estimate the limits of applicability of the single scattering approximation to layers with partial ordering of scatterers in analysis of the transmitted wave phase. The variations of the phase of the wave in the range of the parameters where the coherent component of the transmitted beam exhibits quenching are studied. It is shown that small variations in the refractive index of the particles may give rise to strong variations of the phase. This effect can be used for phase modulation of light beams, e.g., in liquid crystal films controlled by an electric (or magnetic) field.