Mie scattering theory: A review of physical features and limitations

TL;DR

This review analyzes Mie scattering theory, highlighting its physical features, limitations, and potential avenues for refinement in modeling light scattering by spherical particles.

Contribution

It provides a detailed spherical harmonic analysis of Mie theory, revealing the physical origin of resonances and discussing its limitations and possible improvements.

Findings

Identification of two distinct groups of scattered fields.

Resonance behavior explained by interference of fields.

Limitations of classical Mie theory discussed.

Abstract

Mie theory is the classical problem for modeling of light scattering by spherical particles. In this paper, we perform a spherical harmonic analysis of its solution for the induced fields to reveal the physics underlying the resonant behavior predicted for scattering and absorption. We disclose the two distinct groups of current-sourced and current-free scattered fields, whose interference makes light-matter interaction resonant in Mie theory for every orbital index. Being a model, the current-free scattered fields naturally limit applicability of the classical solution. We discuss those limitations and demonstrate the ways for further refinement of the theory for description of the excitation source, sphere interface and scatterer localization.