The scattering of light by particles suspended in a medium of higher refractive index

Abstract

A short review of the theoretical as well as experimental work done on the scattering of light by particles suspended in a medium of lower refractive index is given. Using the formula derived by Mie, calculations are extended to the case of particles such as air bubbles suspended in a medium of higher refractive index. Results are obtained for three different values of refractive indices and for three different sizes of the particles. When the particles are small in size, the distribution of intensity is symmetrical about the plane perpendicular to the incident beam. As the size of the particle increase, the intensity in the forward direction becomes greater than that in the backward direction. The angle of maximum polarisation is displaced from 90° in the direction of the incident rays and moreover, it is everywhere incomplete. Experimental observations are also made in the case of water particles dispersed in benzene.