Polarization dependence in EM scattering from Rayleigh scatterers embedded in a dielectric slab. I. Theory

Abstract

The matrix doubling method developed by Twomey, Jacobowitz, and Howell for calculating radiation transfer from a medium has been extended to permit calculations of the polarization components of the light intensity scattered from a slab medium illuminated with polarized light. Calculations have been performed for scattering in the incident plane from a Rayleigh scattering medium for various albedos and optical thicknesses. Expressions were also developed that permit calculations in terms of the same variables if the scattering centers are embedded in a dielectric slab medium. The results calculated from these expressions differ significantly from those obtained from simple refraction of the medium’s multiple scattering angular distribution. Calculated results indicate that the dielectric interface amplifies the scattering from the medium over that obtained without the interface. This amplification is most significant for the scattered depolarized components, which result exclusively from multiple scattering.