8. Glossary

optical absorption

Disappearance of light absorbed by molecules, atoms and particles without emission or scattering.

continuous or direct detection

Detection in which the photodetector current is proportional to the backscattered light power.

heterodyne detection

Detection in which the photo-mixer current is proportional to the product of the backscattered electric field and the local oscillator.

optical scattering; optical scattering

Spatial and spectral redistribution of scattered light.

elastic optical scattering

Scattering without wavelength change by molecules, atoms and particles.

inelastic optical scattering

Scattering...