Matrix Method Applied to the Multiple Scattering of Polarized Light

Abstract

A matrix method for multiple-scattering problems, which was the subject of earlier papers, is extended to include the state of polarization in the description of both singly and multiply scattered raditaion. Comparisons of numerical results from the extended matrix method with published values obtained by two other methods are presented (for the special cue of a Rayleigh scattering layer of optical depth τ = 0.25). The values of total intensity (Stokes parameter I) calculated by the matrix method show excellent agreement with published values, while the values of the Stokes parameters Q) and U show slight systematic deviations. For the particular case studied, the numerical results indicate that the inclusion of polarization affects the values of I by less than 10%, and in many cases by less than 17%.