Light scattering in optical material containing polydisperse spherical nano-particles

The interference approximation is used in theoretical study of Rayleigh light scattering by a system of polydisperse spherical nano-particles embedded in a homogeneous matrix. An expression for the intensity of scattered light is derived. The expression is significantly simplified on the assumption that a pair correlation function of particles is independent of their radii. In this case, the scattering coefficient can be represented as a sum of two terms. The first term corresponds to coherent scattering by a system of monodisperse particles and the second term is a contribution of incoherent scattering, which is caused by polydispersity of particles. Example of the model system is given where the pair correlation function is independent of particle radii. The consideration of examples shows that scattering coefficient increases with increase in degree of polydispersity. The obtained results may be used in discussion of turbidity of phase-separated glasses, glass–ceramics, colloidal suspensions and other materials.