Rayleigh scatter

[2.22]

Dispersion of electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation. The amount of scatter varies inversely as the fourth power of the wavelength, resulting in short wavelengths being scattered far more than longer wavelengths.

In Rayleigh scatter, the amounts of forward scatter (in the direction of propagation) and backward scatter are nearly equal.

Also known as small-particle scatter.

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