Light scattering is a form of
scattering in which
light in the form of propagating energy is scattered. Light scattering can be thought of as the deflection of a
ray from a straight path, for example by irregularities in the propagation
medium,
particles, or in the interface between two media. Deviations from the
law of reflection due to irregularities on a surface are also usually considered to be a form of scattering. When these irregularities are considered to be random and dense enough that their individual effects average out, this kind of scattered reflection is commonly referred to as
diffuse reflection.