Homogenization and scattering from heterogeneous media based on finite-difference-time-domain Monte Carlo computations.

We present a method to study the scattering by heterogeneous media based on the two-dimensional (2D), finite-difference-time-domain method and a Monte Carlo algorithm. The inhomogeneities may reach wave-length size and their optical constants are in the visible and infrared domain. The algorithm is used to determine an effective propagation constant in a monodisperse medium from the observation of the energy decay in the medium. The result is compared over a large domain of volume fraction with the Keller and the Foldy-Twersky 2D models to determine the domain of their validity. Then the same approach is applied to homogenize the smallest particles in a bidisperse case and determine when such process is adequate.