Rayleigh–Gans approximation

Rayleigh–Gans approximation, also known as Rayleigh–Gans–Debye approximation and Rayleigh–Gans–Born approximation, is an approximate solution to light scattering by optically soft particles. Optical softness implies that the relative refractive index of particle is close to that of the surrounding medium. The approximation holds for particles of arbitrary shape that are relatively small but can be larger than Rayleigh scattering limits.

The theory was derived by Lord Rayleigh in 1881 and was applied to homogeneous spheres, spherical shells, radially inhomogeneous spheres and infinite cylinders. Peter Debye has contributed to the theory in 1881. The theory for homogeneous sphere was rederived by Richard Gans in 1925. The approximation is analogous to Born approximation in quantum mechanics.