ABSTRACT
The scattering of waves and particles by an obstacle is perhaps the most important experimental capability available to researchers for characterizing a given target. The nondestructive nature of light and the prospect of real-time study are the main features that make light scattering a preferred and popular means for exploring properties of an isolated particle as well as for particles in an ensemble. The term single particle scattering refers to scattering by an isolated particle. On the other hand, the term single scattering is assigned exclusively for use in the context of scattering by a particle in an ensemble. The term Rayleigh scattering is associated with scattering by particles much smaller in size than the wavelength of the incident radiation. The direction of polarization of the incident and scattered waves is relative to the plane of measurement which contains incident and scattering waves.
