Rayleigh scattering

The physical phenomena of molecular scattering are examined with the objective of redefining the confusing terminology currently used. The following definitions are proposed: molecular scattering consists of Rayleigh and vibrational Raman scattering; the Rayleigh scattering consists of rotational Raman lines and the central Cabannes line; the Cabannes line is composed of the Brillouin doublet and the central Gross or Landau-Placzek line. The term 'Rayleigh line' should never be used.