Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

11:34
Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Improved algorithm for electromagnetic scattering of plane waves and shaped beams by multilayered spheres
Applied Optics
|July 20, 1997
Summary
This study presents a stable numerical method for calculating light scattering by multilayered spheres. The new approach significantly expands the computational range for scattering analysis, offering more accurate results, especially near the rainbow angle.
Area of Science:
- Electromagnetics and Optics
- Computational Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Calculating light scattering from complex spherical structures is crucial for understanding light-matter interactions.
- Existing numerical methods face limitations in computational range and accuracy for multilayered spheres.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present an efficient and stable numerical procedure for computing scattering coefficients of multilayered spheres.
- To extend the feasible range of computations beyond previously published algorithms.
Main Methods:
- A stable numerical scheme for computing scattering coefficients.
- Extension of computational capabilities for larger size parameters and more layers.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of significantly enhanced computational range (orders of magnitude) compared to prior algorithms.
- Provision of scattering diagrams and cross-sectional curves, including Gaussian beam illumination.
- Accurate scattering analysis at the rainbow angle, where geometrical optics methods may fail.
Conclusions:
- The developed numerical procedure offers a robust and efficient tool for analyzing light scattering from multilayered spheres.
- The enhanced computational range and accuracy provide new possibilities for research in various scientific domains.
Related Concept Videos
Plane Electromagnetic Waves I
The existence of combined electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space as electromagnetic (EM) waves is the most significant prediction of Maxwell's equations. As Maxwell's equations hold in free space, the predicted electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for their propagation. An EM wave comprises an electric field, defined as the force per charge on a stationary charge, and a magnetic field, which is the force per charge on a moving charge.
The EM field is assumed to be a...
The EM field is assumed to be a...
Polar Coordinates: Problem Solving
Directional radiation patterns are central to antenna analysis, as they illustrate how signal strength varies with direction. These patterns are often modeled using polar plots, where the radial distance from the origin represents signal intensity at a given angle. A commonly used idealized form is the four-lobed rose curve, which captures the concept of directional beams in a simplified mathematical form.The four-lobed rose curve, described by r = cos(2θ), features four symmetric lobes, each...
Plane Electromagnetic Waves II
Consider a plane wavefront traveling in position x-direction with a constant speed. This wavefront can be utilized to obtain the relationship between electric and magnetic fields with the help of Faraday's law.
Electric Field of a Non Uniformly Charged Sphere
Gauss's law states that the electric flux through any closed surface equals the net charge enclosed within the surface. This law is beneficial for determining the expressions for the electric field for a particular charge distribution if the electric flux is known.
Consider a non-uniformly charged sphere, for which the density of charge depends only on the distance from a point in space and not on the direction. Such a sphere has a spherically symmetrical charge distribution. Here, the electric...
Consider a non-uniformly charged sphere, for which the density of charge depends only on the distance from a point in space and not on the direction. Such a sphere has a spherically symmetrical charge distribution. Here, the electric...
Electromagnetic Wave Equation
Maxwell's equations for electromagnetic fields are related to source charges, either static or moving. These fields act on a test charge, whose trajectory can thus be determined using suitable boundary conditions. The objective of electromagnetism is thus theoretically complete.
However, although electric and magnetic fields were first introduced as mathematical constructs to simplify the description of mutual forces between charges, a natural question emerges from Maxwell's equations: What...
However, although electric and magnetic fields were first introduced as mathematical constructs to simplify the description of mutual forces between charges, a natural question emerges from Maxwell's equations: What...
Gauss's Law: Spherical Symmetry
A charge distribution has spherical symmetry if the density of charge depends only on the distance from a point in space and not on the direction. In other words, if the system is rotated, it doesn't look different. For instance, if a sphere of radius R is uniformly charged with charge density ρ0, then the distribution has spherical symmetry. On the other hand, if a sphere of radius R is charged so that the top half of the sphere has a uniform charge density ρ1 and the bottom half has a uniform...

