Changes in the spectral degree of coherence of a light wave on scattering from a particulate medium

•A general model of particulate scattering medium, i.e. random particles with random distributions, has been discussed, and the expression for the spectral degree of coherence of the scattered field has been derived.•It is found that both the characteristic of the particle and the property of its distribution will affect the spectral degree of coherence of the scattered field.•Two special cases, i.e. random particles with determinate distribution and determinate particles with random distribution, have been discussed, and the particle-induced coherence change and the distribution-induced coherence change have been found.

The spectral degree of coherence of light wave on scattering from a collection of particles is discussed. It is shown that both the characteristic of each particle and the distribution of particles in the collection play roles in the spectral degree of coherence of the far-zone scattered field. Two special cases, i.e. a collection of random particles with determinate distribution and a collection of determinate particles with random distribution, are discussed, and the particle-induced coherence change and the distribution-induced coherence change are found in the scattered field.