Analysis of polarization effects in time-dependent Rayleigh light scattering by optically active molecules Original Research Article

Time-dependent Rayleigh light scattering by non-interacting optically active molecules is analyzed in full detail. A discussion of the various polarization effects for the two scattering angles π/2 and 0 is facilitated by the fact that the results are presented in Cartesian and circular-cylindrical bases. Isotropic, anisotropic and antisymmetric molecular scattering factors of the first, second and third orders as functions of time are introduced. These factors, related to the squared multipolar molecular polarizabilities, reveal the quantum scattering mechanisms originating in electric-dipole, magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transitions. The use of i and c tensors as well as Hermitian and anti-Hermitian components permits the extension of the analysis to regions of absorption as well as complete symmetry of the molecules as described by the magnetic point groups.