Light Scattering Reviews 8 (Springer Praxis Books)

Large-format heavy paperback, xxv + 632 pages, NOT ex-library. Gentle wear, book is clean and bright with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. External shelfwear. -- A contribution to the field of electromagnetic scattering and radiative transfer, consolidating theoretical research and applications in atmospheric sciences, optics, remote sensing, and biomedicine. Spanning two major parts - Single Light Scattering and Radiative Transfer - the volume comprises eleven peer-reviewed chapters, each authored by leading scientists in their respective subfields. The first part addresses the complex physics of scattering by irregular particles, particularly atmospheric constituents like mineral dust, ice crystals, and volcanic ash. Anthony Baran's detailed exposition introduces particle morphology and its impact on scattering behavior. This is further expanded by Lei Bi and Ping Yang's chapter, which explores hybrid physical-geometric optics methods for modeling ice and dust aerosols. Complementary theoretical approaches, such as pseudo-spectral time domain (PSTD) techniques, are presented by R. Lee Panetta and colleagues, offering powerful tools for modeling near-to-far field scattering in complex media. Victor Farafonov's chapter introduces non-orthogonal basis functions to solve light scattering problems for spheroidal particles. Collectively, these chapters create a firm theoretical and computational scaffold for advanced optical diagnostics and atmospheric modeling. The second part of the volume shifts to applied radiative transfer, covering topics from optical imaging in biological tissues using SPN approximations (Bouza Domínguez and Bérubé-Lauzière) to the role of polarized light in transillumination through highly scattering media. Detailed computational frameworks are offered for the treatment of surface state analysis via invariant embedding, a powerful method for understanding backscattering and surface reflectance in complex layered systems. Astrophysical radiative transfer theory is also revisited in an analytical review by Arthur G. Nikoghosian, who connects classical formalisms with modern variational and statistical models. The final chapters by Vijay Natraj and Claudio Tomasi et al. dissect the computational acceleration of radiative transfer methods, such as PCA and neural networks, alongside aerosol radiative forcing studies. These discussions bridge theoretical innovation with practical climate modeling challenges. With detailed appendices, abundant references, and well-curated figures and tables, Light Scattering Reviews 8 is invaluable for researchers, engineers, and graduate students working in applied physics, meteorology, climatology, astronomy, environmental monitoring, and optical engineering. Its thorough mathematical treatments and cross-sector applications make it a lasting scholarly resource, while its focus on both biological and atmospheric scattering ensures broad relevance in the age of remote sensing, planetary exploration, and climate diagnostics. Whether your interest lies in the fine structure of scattering cross-sections, the spectral modeling of aerosols, or inverse problem strategies for surface analysis, this volume provides both the theoretical depth and practical tools to support advanced research. It stands as a vital addition to any library in environmental optics, computational physics, and interdisciplinary atmospheric sciences.…