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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Nonscalar elastic light scattering from continuous random media in the Born approximation
Jeremy D Rogers1, Ilker R Capoğlu, Vadim Backman
1Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. jdrogers@northwestern.edu
This study models random refractive-index fluctuations using a Whittle-Matérn model. It derives scattering properties from this model, enabling analysis of light scattering in various media.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Continuous random refractive-index fluctuations are common in optical materials.
- Understanding these fluctuations is crucial for predicting light scattering behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust model for continuous random refractive-index fluctuations.
- To derive the differential scattering cross section from this model.
- To analyze key scattering parameters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a three-parameter model from the Whittle-Matérn correlation family.
- Applied nonscalar scattering formulas within the Born approximation.
- Derived the differential scattering cross section from the index correlation function.
Main Results:
- Successfully modeled continuous random refractive-index fluctuations.
- Derived the differential scattering cross section based on the Whittle-Matérn model.
- Identified relationships between scattering parameters and the correlation function.
Conclusions:
- The Whittle-Matérn model provides a versatile framework for analyzing random refractive-index variations.
- The derived scattering cross section enables quantitative prediction of scattering phenomena.
- This approach facilitates the characterization of optical materials based on their scattering properties.
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