Abstract
Use of a vertical polarizer has been suggested to reduce the
effects of surface reflection in the above-water measurements of marine
reflectance. We suggest using a similar technique for airborne or
spaceborne sensors when atmospheric scattering adds its own
polarization signature to the upwelling radiance. Our own
theoretical sensitivity study supports the recommendation of Fougnie
et al. [Appl. Opt. 38, 3844 (1999)]
(40–50° vertical angle and azimuth angle near 135°, polarizer
parallel to the viewing plane) for above-water
measurements. However, the optimal viewing directions (and the
optimal orientation of the polarizer) change with altitude above the
sea surface, solar angle, and atmospheric vertical optical
structure. A polarization efficiency function is introduced, which
shows the maximal possible polarization discrimination of the
background radiation for an arbitrary altitude above the sea surface,
viewing direction, and solar angle. Our comment is meant to
encourage broader application of airborne and spaceborne polarization
sensors in remote sensing of water and sea surface
properties.
© 2000 Optical Society of America
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