Electromagnetic Scattering from Absorbing Spheres

A very efficient method for the calculation of Mie cross sections for absorbing particles is discussed. It is used to calculate an extensive set of curves which illustrate the dependence of the efficiency factors Q for absorption and scattering on the size parameter x and on n(2) and n(2) (the real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction). The value of Q(sca) is found to be proportional to n(2) over a considerable range of values which are specified. As n(2) increases, Q(sca) first decreases to a minimum value and then passes through a maximum, when x>or= 1 and for most values of n(1). The half-width of the angular intensity function is calculated over a range of values of n(1) and n(2). This half-width varies as x(-1) and x >or= 10 and is relatively insensitive to the values of n(1) and n(2).