Optical properties of inhomogeneous media: T‐matrix approach (Review)

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Abstract
In this paper the problem how to obtain an effective dielectric function (ω) characterizing the optical properties of heterogeneous media is reviewed. For grain sizes smaller than the wavelength of light the quasi‐electro static problem can be formulated as an integral equation that allows the application of the T‐matrix formalism known from solid state theory to calculate. Different approximations for the T‐matrix are discussed leading to different effective‐medium theories as the average T‐matrix approximation (ATA) or the coherent‐potential approximation (CPA).