The
scattering of light by particles and molecules which are much smaller than the
wavelength of the light. In the ideal case, the process is one of pure dipole and induced dipole interactions with the electric field of the light wave. The
scattering cross section for light of
wavelength
is proportional to
.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167
(Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990))
on page 2209