Enhanced Rayleigh scattering as a signature of nanoscale defects in highly transparent solids

AbstractThe deep minimum in the absorption spectrum of ice and a number of other highly transparent solids is often truncated by a segment proportional to (wavelength)−4. We interpret such a feature as due to Rayleigh scattering which was not discriminated from true absorption by the measurement technique. The magnitude of the scattering is enhanced above the intrinsic Rayleigh scattering by the presence of nanoscale defects and can be used to diagnose the presence of such defects.