Reduce light scattering by index matching

[pilo440]

in order to reduce unwanted light scattering from a sample, a trick often used is to immerse it in a higher refractive index liquid . This is called index matching.
Could anyone elaborate how it reduces unwanted scattering?
regards
pilo440

 

[atyy]

When light travels through an index of constant refractive index, it doesn't get scattered - eg. traveling through vacuum, or pure air or pure water. It gets scattered due to random inhomogeneities in the refractive index. So if you have a sample of high refractive index, you can decrease scattering from it by making the surroundings match its refractive index.

 

[pilo440]

thanks!