Electromagnetic Scattering by Particles and Particle Groups

This self-contained and accessible book provides a thorough introduction to the basic physical and mathematical principles required in studying the scattering and absorption of light and other electromagnetic radiation by particles and particle groups. For the first time the theories of electromagnetic scattering, radiative transfer, and weak localization are combined into a unified, consistent branch of physical optics directly based on the Maxwell equations. A particular focus is given to key aspects such as time and ensemble averaging at different scales, ergodicity, and the physical nature of measurements afforded by actual photopolarimeters. Featuring over 120 end-of-chapter exercises, with hints and solutions provided, this clear, one-stop resource is ideal for self-study or classroom use, and will be invaluable to both graduate students and researchers in remote sensing, physical and biomedical optics, optical communications, optical particle characterization, atmospheric physics and astrophysics.

Michael I. Mishchenko is a Senior Scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York. He has published widely on electromagnetic scattering and remote sensing, including editing three contributory monographs, and is the first author of three books (including Multiple Scattering of Light by Particles, with Larry Travis and Andrew Lacis, Cambridge University Press, 2006). In other publishing work, he has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer and served previously as Topical Editor of Applied Optics. Dr Mishchenko is an elected Fellow of four major professional societies and has received many professional awards, including the Henry G. Houghton Award from the American Meteorological Society, two NASA Medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement, and the Hendrik C. van de Hulst Award from Elsevier.