Scattering of electromagnetic radiation from free electrons (i.e., electrons with an oscillation frequency of ) that occurs without changing the wavelength of the incident light. To derive the power scattered due to Rayleigh scattering, write the electric field of an incoming wave as
where is a unit vector in the direction of polarization. Note that the magnetic force can be ignored for light, since the Lorentz force is
which is small compared to the electric force. In particular, in the cgs system, E = B, so the magnetic force on an electron from a passing electromagnetic wave has magnitude as large as the electric force.
Electron Scattering, Larmor Power, Thomson Cross Section
