
Scattering phase function
A scattering phase function describes how light (or other waves) is redirected by tiny particles in a medium. It indicates the probability that light, hitting a particle, will scatter in a particular direction. Think of it as a detailed map showing the angular distribution of scattered light. This function helps scientists understand phenomena like how the sky is blue, how sunlight penetrates fog, or how light behaves in the atmosphere and oceans. It is essential for modeling and predicting light behavior in environments filled with particles, guiding applications in climate science, remote sensing, and optical communications.