Scattering of an Electromagnetic Linearly Polarized Plane Wave by a Multilayered Sphere: Obtaining a computational form of Mie coefficients for the scattered field

Abstract

An analysis is presented of scattering of an electromagnetic linearly polarized plane wave by a multilayered sphere. The focus is on obtaining a computational form of the Mie coefficients for the scattered field. A central role is played by ratios of spherical Bessel functions that can be calculated easily, rapidly, and accurately by recurrence relations whose stabilities are demonstrated. Logarithmic derivatives are not employed. A detailed outline is given of a carefully tested computer program for implementing and validating the analysis. Numerous comparisons are given of numerical results obtained with this program with corresponding results in the literature. Important properties of the Mie coefficients and aspects of the scattered field are discussed including the loci of the Mie coefficients in the complex plane; the resonances of the Mie coefficients; the extinction, scattering, and absorption efficiencies of the scattered field; radiation pressure; the Debye series, and the complex angular momentum (CAM) method.