Abstract

We have developed a Monte Carlo program that is capable of calculating both the scalar and the Stokes vector radiances in an atmosphere–ocean system in a single computer run. The correlated sampling technique is used to compute radiance distributions for both the scalar and the Stokes vector formulations simultaneously, thus permitting a direct comparison of the errors induced. We show the effect of the volume-scattering phase function on the errors in radiance calculations when one neglects polarization effects. The model used in this study assumes a conservative Rayleigh-scattering atmosphere above a flat ocean. Within the ocean, the volume-scattering function (the first element in the Mueller matrix) is varied according to both a Henyey–Greenstein phase function, with asymmetry factors G = 0.0, 0.5, and 0.9, and also to a Rayleigh-scattering phase function. The remainder of the reduced Mueller matrix for the ocean is taken to be that for Rayleigh scattering, which is consistent with ocean water measurements.

© 1993 Optical Society of America

Effect of volume-scattering function on the errors induced when polarization is neglected in radiance calculations in an atmosphere–ocean system: errata

Charles N. Adams and George W. Kattawar
Appl. Opt. 33(3) 453-453 (1994)

Effect of Aerosol Variation on Radiance in the Earth’s Atmosphere–Ocean System

Gilbert N. Plass and George W. Kattawar
Appl. Opt. 11(7) 1598-1604 (1972)

Radiative transfer in the earth's atmosphere and ocean: influence of ocean waves

Gilbert N. Plass, George W. Kattawar, and John A. Guinn
Appl. Opt. 14(8) 1924-1936 (1975)

Ocean–atmosphere interface: its influence on radiation

Gilbert N. Plass, Terry J. Humphreys, and George W. Kattawar
Appl. Opt. 20(6) 917-931 (1981)

Radiative Transfer in an Atmosphere–Ocean System

Gilbert N. Plass and George W. Kattawar
Appl. Opt. 8(2) 455-466 (1969)