The Effect of Absorption on a Rayleigh Atmosphere

Abstract

Calculations are presented for the reflected and transmitted intensifies and polarizations for the C wavelength pair used for Umkehr measurements. The present calculations utilize a numerical integration of the transfer equation which includes an orders of scattering as well as absorption. These results are compared with solutions which include only scattering, and solutions which include absorption but only single scattering. The importance of higher order scattering for intensity calculations even at higher absorbing wavelengths is demonstrated, as well as the effects of absorption on the polarization of the emergent radiation.