Generalized Lorenz-Mie theories, the third decade: A perspective

During the year 2008, we have been commemorating, in several places, the hundredth anniversary of the famous 1908-paper by Mie describing the interaction between an electromagnetic plane wave and a homogeneous sphere defined by its diameter d and its complex refractive index m. Due to the existence of a prior version by Lorenz, Mie's theory may also be named as Lorenz-Mie theory (LMT). The generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (GLMT) stricto sensu deals with the more general case when the illuminating wave is an arbitrary shaped beam (say: a laser beam) still interacting with a homogeneous sphere defined by its diameter d and its complex refractive index m. The name GLMTs is generically used to designate various variants for other particle shapes when the method of separation of variables is used. The present paper provides a review of the work accomplished in this generalized field during the last decade (the third decade). As a convenient selection criterion, only papers citing the work of the group of Rouen have been essentially used, with ISIweb of knowledge providing a database. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.