Strong suppression of forward or backward Mie scattering by using spatial coherence.

We derive analytic expressions relating Mie scattering with partially coherent fields to scattering with fully coherent fields. These equations are then used to demonstrate how the intensity of the forward- or backward-scattered field can be suppressed several orders of magnitude by tuning the spatial coherence properties of the incident field. This method allows the creation of cone-like scattered fields, with the angle of maximum intensity given by a simple formula.