Light scattering by Gaussian particles with internal inclusions and roughened surfaces using ray optics

We study light scattering by Gaussian-random-sphere particles that are large compared to the wavelength of the incident light using ray optics that, in addition to Fresnellian reflection and refraction, accounts for diffuse scattering. We consider two types of diffusely scattering media. One type of media constitutes a uniform medium inside the particle, i.e. a diffuse internal medium. The second type of media constitutes a layer on the surface of the particle that is thin compared to the particle dimensions and acts as a diffuse external medium mimicking the particle surface roughness. We illustrate the effects of the diffuse media on the scattering characteristics for both cases and show that incorporating diffuse scatterers allows us to explain the scattering matrices measured experimentally for Saharan sand particles large compared to the wavelength. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.