Light Scattering Reviews 4: Single Light Scattering and Radiative Transfer (Springer Praxis Books / Environmental Sciences) (No. 4)

This 4th volume of LIGHT SCATTERING REVIEWS is devoted to modern knowledge and milestones in both experimental and theoretical techniques related to light scattering and radiative transport problems. It consists of 3 chapters comprising 12 contributions written by leading world experts in their respective fields. The general focus of the book is on single light scattering and radiative transfer. The three chapters are devoted to experimental studies in the optics of light scattering media.

The first chapter consists of three parts: In the first part, the main properties of scattering matrices are presented in a systematic way, together with polarimetric decomposition theorems in a great detail. The Green’s function techniques for plane wave scattering by nonspherical particles is introduced in the second part. Different conceptual advantages and disadvantages of various numerical schemes developed in the past for the calculation of light scattering and absorption properties of small particles are discussed. The chapter concludes with studies of representations of the rotation group and T-matrix methods as applied for the calculation of optical properties of small particles with various habits.

The second chapter of the book describes recent results in the broad area of forward and inverse problems of the radiative transfer. The first paper surveys techniques for theoretical studies of light scattering and polarization of molecular atmosphere. The application of time-dependent radiative transfer equation for cloud remote sensing and the peculiarities of radiative transfer of fluorescent and bioluminescent light in biological tissues are then considered, together with the importance of optical imaging in clinical and pre-clinical applications. The applications of the linearized radiative transfer equation and inverse problems for a particular case of the spherical atmosphere are included.

The final chapter of the book covers recent advances in the experimental studies in the field of light scattering media optics. The instruments, measurements, and data processing used in experimental studies of optical properties of small particles using an imaging technique are extensively described before a study of aerosols in a controlled environment using static and dynamic light scattering. The book ends with a description of advances in dynamic light scattering techniques.

This fourth volume gives a valuable picture of recent developments in the areas of single light scattering, radiative transfer in particulate media (e.g., terrestrial atmosphere and tissues), and inverse problems for multiple scattering media. It will further facilitate studies in light scattering media optics and aid researchers across various scientific fields, including astronomy, meteorology, biophysics, medical optics and geophysics.