Light scattering by multiple spheres: Solutions of Maxwell theory compared to radiative transfer theory

Propagation of light in a cubic scattering region containing different concentrations of polystyrene spheres in water was calculated. Therefore an analytical solution of Maxwell theory was applied, as well as a numerical solution of radiative transfer theory. Apart from differences in the calculated differential scattering cross sections at small and large scattering angles, a comparison of both methods showed only small deviations for almost the whole angle range. This indicates the usefulness of radiative transfer theory for concentrations up to 20% as a fast approximative method to describe multisphere scattering.