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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
11:34
Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Light scattering by wavelength-sized particles "dusted" with subwavelength-sized grains
Michael I Mishchenko1, Janna M Dlugach, Daniel W Mackowski
1NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, NY 10025, USA. mmishchenko@giss.nasa.gov
Optics Letters
|February 2, 2011
Summary
Microscopic dust on particles has minimal optical impact. Particle shape asphericity significantly affects scattering, outweighing surface grain effects for light interaction.
Area of Science:
- Optical physics
- Atmospheric science
- Materials science
Background:
- Understanding light scattering by particles is crucial for atmospheric and materials science.
- The influence of surface roughness and shape on optical properties requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the optical effects of surface grains on spherical particles.
- To compare the significance of surface micro-grains versus overall particle asphericity on light scattering.
Main Methods:
- Employed the numerically exact superposition T-matrix method.
- Calculated scattering cross sections and the Stokes scattering matrix.
- Modeled polydisperse spherical particles with numerous smaller surface grains.
Main Results:
- The optical effect of microscopic surface dust was found to be less significant.
- Overall particle asphericity had a much greater impact on scattering properties.
- Scattering cross sections and Stokes matrix were computed for various particle configurations.
Conclusions:
- Surface micro-grains have a minor influence on the overall optical scattering of particles.
- Particle shape deviation from sphericity is a dominant factor in light scattering.
- Accurate modeling of particle shape is essential for predicting optical behavior.
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