Single-scattering albedo is used to define scattering of electromagnetic waves on small particles.

The aerosol single-scattering albedo, defined as ssp/(sap+ssp), describes the relative contributions of scattering and absorption to the total light extinction.

For spherical particles one can calculate single-scattering albedo from Mie theory and knowledge of bulk properties of material such as refractive index.

Single-scattering albedo is the ratio of scattering efficiency to total extinction efficiency (which is also termed "attenuance", a sum of scattering and absorption).

Sheridan et al., "Spatial and temporal variability of aerosol single-scattering albedo", presented at the 1997 Fall AGU meeting, San Francisco, December, 1997.

Effects of Cloud Scavenging on Aerosol Single-Scattering Albedo - J.A. Ogren (CMDL)

A single-scattering albedo of unity implies that all particle extinction is due to scattering; conversely, a single-scattering albedo of zero implies that all extinction is due to absorption.

The results suggest that ground-based measurements of the light scattering and absorption coefficients of submicrometer, continental particles can be used to derive values of the single-scattering albedo, hemispheric backscattering fraction, and Ångström exponent representative of the dry aerosol throughout the lower troposphere.