Universal Validity Ranges of Diffusion Theory for Light and Other Electromagnetic Waves

Maryna L Meretska; Ravitej Uppu; Ad Lagendijk; Willem L Vos

doi:10.48550/arxiv.1904.02784

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Universal Validity Ranges of Diffusion Theory for Light and Other Electromagnetic Waves

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Universal Validity Ranges of Diffusion Theory for Light and Other Electromagnetic Waves

Maryna L Meretska, Ravitej Uppu, Ad Lagendijk and Willem L Vos

04/04/2019

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1904.02784

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Preprint (Author's original)This preprint has not been evaluated by subject experts through peer review. Preprints may undergo extensive changes and/or become peer-reviewed journal articles. Open Access

Abstract

The well-known diffusion theory describes propagation of light and electromagnetic waves in complex media. While diffusion theory is known to fail both for predominant forward scattering or strong absorption, its precise range of validity has never been established. Therefore we present precise, universal limits on the scattering properties, beyond which diffusion theory yields unphysical negative energy density and negative incident flux. When applying diffusion theory to samples outside validity ranges to {\it infer} scattering properties from transmission and reflection, the resulting transport parameters deviate by up to an order of magnitude compared to the true ones. These discrepancies are relevant to atmospheric and climate sciences, biophysics and health sciences, white LEDs and lighting, and Anderson localization of waves.

Physics - Optics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Universal Validity Ranges of Diffusion Theory for Light and Other Electromagnetic Waves
Creators: Maryna L Meretska
Ravitej Uppu
Ad Lagendijk
Willem L Vos
Resource Type: Preprint
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1904.02784
Language: English
Date posted: 04/04/2019
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984442007602771

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