Scattering of electromagnetic radiation in terms of functions over the group SU₂

Carmeli's group theoretical analysis of Maxwell's Equations, in which the field variables are considered as functions over the group SU₂, is extended to the general formulation of the problem of scattering of electromagnetic waves. The relevant complex functions, defined over the group SU₂, are explicitly given in terms of electric and magnetic phase shifts. They are shown to have a simple physical meaning in the far zone. The general expressions for the differential and total cross sections are defined. The differential cross section is shown to be the sum of two non-interfering spherical waves, which can be considered as the spherical wave analogue of the positive and negative helicities of plane waves.