Mie scattering is a phenomenon in which light is scattered by a spherical particle with a diameter comparable to the wavelength of the light. It is named after the German physicist Gustav Mie, who first described this type of scattering in 1908.
The main difference between Mie scattering and Rayleigh scattering is the size of the scattering particle. Mie scattering occurs when the particle size is comparable to the wavelength of the light, while Rayleigh scattering occurs when the particle size is much smaller than the wavelength.
Constant dipole moment refers to the polarizability of a particle, which is a measure of its ability to become polarized in an electric field. In Mie scattering for a spherical particle, the constant dipole moment is important because it affects the intensity and polarization of the scattered light.
A non-polarizable particle will scatter light equally in all directions, resulting in a symmetrical scattering pattern. However, a sphere with a constant dipole moment will have a more complex scattering pattern, with variations in intensity and polarization depending on the angle of observation.
Mie scattering is a widely used phenomenon in various fields such as atmospheric science, meteorology, and remote sensing. It is also used in the design and optimization of optical devices and materials, such as anti-reflective coatings and solar cells. Additionally, Mie scattering is important in the study of aerosols, which have significant impacts on air quality and climate change.