Light Scattering Reviews 3 : Light Scattering and Reflection

This volume of Light Scattering Reviews describes some recent advances in a broad area of light scattering media optics. It is composed of three parts. The ?rst part is concerned with single light scattering by small nonspherical p- ticles such as crystals in clouds or suspensions of various cells. Most natural media are characterized by a variety of shapes and often a particular selection of particle shape is not representative of the ensemble of shapes encountered during measurements. This being the case, theoretical calculations are only of limited value and comprehensive experimental studies must be performed to e- cidate the question of optical response for a collection of particles having diverse shapes. The volume opens with the paper of Timothy Garrett, which describes a number of recent in situ airborne experiments related to the quanti?cation of optical properties of cirrus clouds. Min Xu and Alvin Katz discuss a novel statistical approach to deal with the light extinction and absorption properties of small nonspherical particles having a refractive index close to that of the host medium. In this case, van de Hulst’s anomalous di?raction theory can be used. The new approach is applied to studies of bio-agent detection and monitoring. Michael Kahnert presents a comprehensive theoretical treatment of symmetries in linear boundary value problems. The use of symmetries simpli?es electrom- netic scattering problems to a great extent.

This 3rd volume 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 will consist of 3 parts comprising 11 contributions written by world leading experts in their respective fields. The general focus of the book will be on remote sensing of geophysical media.

The first part will be devoted exclusively to studies of single light scattering by particles of different shapes and chemical compositions. The first chapter will review in situ measurements of cloud optical characteristics like cloud extinction and phase function, with the emphasis on ice clouds. Chapter 2 will cover opitcally soft particles common in marine environments and bio-suspensions while Chapter 3 will describe numerical techniques applicable not only to isotropic but also to chiral and anisotropic mdia. The final chapter in this part will deal with spatial symmetries in light scattering problems.

This 3rd volume gives a valuable picture of recent developments in the areas of single light scattering, radiative transfer in particulate media and inverse problems of spherical atmospheres. It will further facilitate studies in light scattering media optics and be of importance for researchers across various scientific fields including astronomy, meteorology and geophysics.