Coherent Electromagnetic Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media.

Abstract : The effect of multiple scattering on the coherent wave propagation is discrete random media is studied for spherical and non-spherical dielectric scatterers as a function of frequency and volume concentration of scatterers. The first and second order probability distribution functions are specified and a self-consistent T-matrix approach together with Lax's quasi-crystalline approximation is used to derive dispersion equations whose singular solutions yield the complex propagation constant of the 'effective medium'. Various forms of pair-correlations were considered in the analysis; the self-consistent pair-correlation function is found to be well suited for a wide range of concentration of scatterers. The formalism is also found to be applicable for very high frequencies. The theoretical results obtained by this formalism were compared with experimental findings and the agreement is excellent. (Author)