What is near forward light scatter?
In 1908, the German physicist G. Mie derived a theory to explain the behavior of light when normal Rayleigh scatter no longer applies. Many people have tried to explain the principles of Mie-Theory (forward light scatter) in layman’s terms, but the science is hard to follow. The Mie scattering calculations are so complex that large computers are required, particularly if the complex refractive index must be used, as for metallic scattering particles. For non-spherical particles even more complex approaches are required, and workers such as R. Gans have solved special cases such as ellipsoids and rod-shaped particles; even more complex are mixtures of particles of different sizes. These solutions are important in the investigation of colloids, aerosols, smokes, smogs, and so on, where the particle sizes and shapes may be deduced from the light scattering behavior.
