Improved Mie scattering algorithms

Abstract

Scattering of electromagnetic radiation from a sphere, so-called Mie scattering, requires calculations that can become lengthy and even impossible for those with limited resources. At the same time, such calculations are required for the widest variety of optical applications, extending from the shortest UV to the longest microwave and radar wavelengths. This paper briefly describes new and thoroughly documented Mie scattering algorithms that result in considerable improvements in speed by employing more efficient formulations and vector structure. The algorithms are particularly fast on the Cray-1 and similar vector-processing computers.