Scattering from rough surfaces

In the classical mechanics framework, a rough surface, such as a machined metal surface, randomizses the probability distribution function governing the incoming particles, leading to net momentum loss of the particle flux. [3]

The energy of charged particles in a quantum well is strongly affected by its thickness

In the quantum mechanical framework, this scattering is most noticeable in confined systems, in which the energies for charge carriers are determined by the locations of interfaces. An example of such a system is a quantum well, which may be constructed from a sandwich of different layers of semiconductor. Variations in the thickness of these layers therefore causes the energy of particles to be dependent on their in-plane location in the layer.[4] Classification of the roughness at a given position, ${\displaystyle \Delta _{z}(\mathbf {r} )}$, is complex, but as in the classical models, it has been modelled as a Gaussian distribution by some researchers [5] This assumption may be formulated in terms of the ensemble average for some given characteristic height, ${\displaystyle \Delta }$, and correlation length, ${\displaystyle \Lambda }$, such that

${\displaystyle \langle \Delta _{z}(\mathbf {r} )\Delta _{z}(\mathbf {r'} )\rangle =\Delta ^{2}\exp \left(-{\frac {|\mathbf {r} -\mathbf {r'} |^{2}}{\Lambda ^{2}}}\right)}$

TYPES OF SCATTERING :

Selective Scattering : In selective Scattering scattering depends upon the wavelength of light.

Mie Scattering : In this size of the molecules is greater than the wavelength of light that results in non-uniform scaterring of light.

Electromagnetic Scattering : Electromagnetic waves are used in this form of Scattering .