The discussion centers on the limitations of Mie Theory for analyzing the absorption, scattering, and extinction of a homogeneous sphere when it is enclosed by two different media. Participants explore the possibility of applying additional boundary conditions to the equations outlined in section 3.5.2 of the provided lecture notes to derive an analytic solution. The scenario involves a sphere with its lower half embedded in a substrate and the upper half in air or vacuum. The conversation emphasizes the need to consider Maxwell's equations for a comprehensive solution.
PREREQUISITESResearchers, physicists, and engineers working in optics, particularly those focused on scattering phenomena and the analysis of particles in heterogeneous media.