POLARIZATION OF LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATED AREAS IN A CEILOMETER BEAM DURING RAIN

Abstract

The observed polarization of the light emitted from certain illuminated areas in a ceilometer beam during rain is explained as due to the polarization of light rays by reflection and refraction in passing through the raindrops. The theory developed indicates that 96 per cent of the light from the area in the beam corresponding to the primary rainbow is made up of the component with the electric vector vibrating in the plane perpendicular to the plane of incidence. It is suggested that the fact that the light resulting from the ?rainbow effect? is partially polarized may be used to differentiate between bright areas caused by rain and those caused by clouds.