Multiple Scattering of Light by Particles
Radiative Transfer and Coherent Backscattering

This volume provides a thorough treatment of multiple scattering of light and other electromagnetic radiation in media composed of randomly and sparsely positioned particles. It systematically and consistently presents radiative transfer theory as a branch of classical macroscopic electromagnetics. After tracing the fundamental link between radiative transfer theory and the effect of coherent backscattering, the authors explain them in the context of a comprehensive hierarchy of electromagnetic scattering problems. Dedicated sections present a thorough discussion of the physical meaning and range of applicability of the radiative transfer equation and compare the self-consistent microphysical and the traditional phenomenological approaches to radiative transfer. This self-contained book will be valuable for science professionals, engineers, and graduate students working across a wide range of disciplines including optics, electromagnetics, remote sensing, atmospheric radiation, astrophysics, and biomedicine.

1. Introduction; 2. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, and Stokes parameters; 3. Basic theory of electromagnetic scattering; 4. Scattering by a fixed multi-particle group; 5. Statistical averaging; 6. Scattering by a single random particle; 7. Single scattering by a small random particle group; 8. Radiative transfer equation; 9. Calculations and measurements of single-particle characteristics; 10. Radiative transfer in plane-parallel scattering media; 11. Macroscopically isotropic and mirror-symmetric scattering media; 12. Radiative transfer in plane-parallel, microscopically isotropic and mirror-symmetric scattering media; 13. Illustrative applications of radiative transfer theory; 14. Coherent backscattering.