Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer 79–80 (2003) 533–547 www.elsevier.com/locate/jqsrt A recursive centered T -matrix algorithm to solve the multiple scattering equation: numerical validation Jean-Claude Auger a ; ∗ , Brian Stout b a Centro de Investigaci on en Pol meros, Grupo COMEX, Blv M. A. Camacho No 138, Lomas de Chapultepec, 11560 M exico D.F, Mexico b Institut Fresnel UMR 6133, Facult e des Sciences et Techniques, Centre de Saint Jer ome, Marseilles Cedex 20 13397, France Received 10 July 2002; received in revised form 1 October 2002; accepted 2 October 2002 Abstract The multiple scattering problem can be solved using various analytical techniques. One of these techniques, the T -matrix formalism, is at the present time generally solved using iterative algorithms, because the initially proposed recursive algorithms appeared to be numerically unstable. We present here a new set of recursive relations to solve the multiple scattering equation, and discuss their range of application. In order to vali- date this new formalism, we compare numerical results for various complex systems with the Generalized Multi-particle Mie solution. We show that the results obtained with the recursive method are in very good agreement with those given by iterative techniques. ? 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Multiple-scattering; T -matrix; Recursive algorithm 1. Introduction Theoretical and experimental studies of multiple light scattering by a collection of particles have a large scientic interest in academic research as well as in the industry. Some of its numerous applications are in astrophysics and atmospheric sciences, but one also nds applications in the ink or coating industries where one strives to optimize tinting strength and hiding power. Although multiple scattering theory has been investigated since the end of the 1960s [1,2], the complexity of the formalism has limited the range of applications. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +52-594-95-71602; fax: +52-594-95-71604. E-mail address: jcauger@cip.org (J.-C. Auger). 0022-4073/03/$ - see front matter ? 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0022-4073(02)00306-0