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Scattering efficiency of a particle, customarily denoted by Qb [non-dimensional], is defined by the following equation:

 Qb = Cb / G  (1)

where Cb [length2] is the scattering cross section of the particle, and G [length2] is the area of a geometrical cross section of the particle in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the incident light (i.e. the geometric particle shadow).

The scattering efficiency may assume values greater than unity (which conflicts with the traditionally accepted meaning of this term, implying that its maximum value is unity), i.e. a particle may scatter from the incident beam more light power that falls on its geometrical cross section (for example, Bohren and Huffman 1983).

The forward scattering efficiency, Qbf , and backscattering efficiency, Qbb, are similarly defined, with the forward scattering cross section, Cbf , and backscattering cross section, Cbb, replacing respectively the scattering cross section, Cb, in Eq. 1.

CITATION:
Jonasz M. 2006. Scattering efficiencies (www.tpdsci.com/Tpc/ScaEf.php). In: Top. Part. Disp. Sci. (www.tpdsci.com).
HISTORY:
Published: 12-Jan-2006
Modified: 18-Apr-2006
Peer-reviewed: 19-Feb-2007
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