Radiative Transfer in Inhomogeneous Atmospheres. I

This series of papers is devoted to multiple scattering of light in plane parallel, inhomogeneous atmospheres. The approach proposed here is based on Ambartsumyan's method of adding layers. The main purpose is to show that one can avoid difficulties with solving various boundary value problems in the theory of radiative transfer, including some standard problems, by reducing them to initial value problems. In this paper the simplest one dimensional problem of diffuse reflection and transmission of radiation in inhomogeneous atmospheres with finite optical thicknesses is considered as an example. This approach essentially involves first determining the reflection and transmission coefficients of the atmosphere, which, as is known, are a solution of the Cauchy problem for a system of nonlinear differential equations. In particular, it is shown that this system can be replaced with a system of linear equations by introducing auxiliary functions P and S. After the reflectivity and transmissivity of the atmosphere are determined, the radiation field in it is found directly without solving any new equations. We note that this approach can be used to obtain the required intensities simultaneously for a family of atmospheres with different optical thicknesses. Two special cases of the functional dependence of the scattering coefficient on the optical thickness, for which the solutions of the corresponding equations can be expressed in terms of elementary functions, are examined in detail. Some numerical calculations are presented and interpreted physically to illustrate specific features of radiative transport in inhomogeneous atmospheres.     

Order-of-scattering of partially polarized radiation in inhomogeneous,anisotropically scattering atmospheres

Reciprocity and symmetry relationships, representing local invariants for the scattering phase-matrix, are derived for twelve cases of particle assemblies studied by van de Hulst (1957) including situations of scattering in an arbitrary direction, in the near forward and near backward directions. These relations are used to generate corresponding relations representing global invariants for the scattering and transmission matrices of atmospheres consisting of such assemblies. The latter relations are obtained from the matrix integro-differential equations for scattering and transmission; they apply to single scattering, any finite order of scattering, and after an arbitrary cumulation of scattering orders (finite or infinite). Our results are summarized in Tables I and II for general inhomogeneous atmospheres and for particular inhomogeneous atmospheres that are symmetrical with respect to their central level. The latter case includes homogeneous atmospheres as a special case. The largest set of local relations obtained contains three independent relations (called universal, reversal, exchange) which can further be combined to yield four additional dependent relations. This circumstance happens in three out of the above twelve cases. In the remaining cases fewer relations (both independent and dependent) remain valid. Likewise, a maximal set of three independent global relations is obtained for general inhomogeneous atmospheres; they too can be linearly combined to yield seven other dependent relations. For the symmetrically inhomogeneous atmospheres, three independent and seven dependent additional relations are obtained. On the basis of these tables, it becomes a trivial matter to provide the local and global invariants (both the independent and the dependent relations) for any assembly of particles and atmospheric inhomogeneity. A mixture of Rayleigh-Cabannes scattering by anisotropic molecules or extremely small particles and Mie scattering by large isotropic particles is considered for illustration. Lastly, the group properties of these invariants are studied.This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract No. NAS 7-100, sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Invariant imbedding and Chandrasekhar's planetary problem of radiative transfer

In connection with Chandrasekhar's planetary problem of radiative transfer the total scattering and the diffuse transmission functions have been discussed by several authors (cf. Chandrasekhar, 1950; van de Hulst, 1948; Sobolev, 1948; Bellman,et al., 1967; Kagiwada and Kalaba, 1971). With the aid of the Bellman-Krein formula for the resolvent kernel of the auxiliary equation governing the source function, we show how the invariant imbedding equations governing the diffuse scattering and transmission functions can readily be obtained. So far as we know, the Cauchy system of the functional equations for the scattering and transmission functions is new and is well-suited for the numerical computation.Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. GP 29049, and by the Atomic Energy Commission under Grant No. AT (40-3)-113 Project 19.     

Order-of-scattering of partially polarized radiation in inhomogeneous,anisotropically scattering atmospheres

A complete set of transfer equations required for the order-of-scattering analysis of partially polarized radiation in inhomogeneous, anisotropically scattering atmospheres is provided. The equations have been derived for both a local study using the radiative transfer equation and its associated auxiliary equation for the source-matrix, and a global study in terms of the scattering and transmission matrices; they account for the polarity of the scattering medium. Their derivations for the finite order scattering and the finitely cumulative scattering, in particular, have yielded important new equations expressing the invariance principles and the integro-differential recurrences for the scattering and transmission matrices. These novel expressions contain as a special case Bellmanet al's (1972) equations for the simpler case of isotropic scattering of unpolarized light in homogeneous atmospheres.     

Group-theoretical description of radiative transfer in one-dimensional media

Group theory is used to describe a procedure for adding inhomogeneous absorbing and scattering atmospheres in a one-dimensional approximation. The inhomogeneity originates in the variation of the scattering coefficient with depth. Group representations are derived for the composition of media in three different cases: inhomogeneous atmospheres in which the scattering coefficient varies continuously with depth, composite or multicomponent atmospheres, and the special case of homogeneous atmospheres. We extend an earlier proposal to solve problems in radiative transfer theory by first finding global characteristics of a medium (reflection and transmission coefficients) and then determining the internal radiation field for an entire family of media without solving any new equations. Semi-infinite atmospheres are examined separately. For some special depth dependences of the scattering coefficients it is possible to obtain simple analytic solutions expressed in terms of elementary functions. An algorithm for numerical solution of radiative transfer problems in inhomogeneous atmospheres is described.     

Average photon path-length of radiation emerging from finite atmospheres

The determination of the average path-length of photons emerging from a finite planeparallel atmosphere with molecular scattering is discussed. We examine the effects of polarisation on the average path-length of the emergent radiation by comparing the results with those obtained for the atmosphere where the scattering obeys the scalar Rayleigh function. Only the axial radiation field is considered for both cases.To solve this problem we have used the integro-differential equations of Chandrasekhar for the diffuse scattering and transmission functions (or matrices). By differentiation of these equations with respect to the albedo of single scattering we obtain new equations the solution of which gives us the derivatives of the intensities of the emergent radiation at the boundaries.As in the case of scalar transfer the principles of invariance by Chandrasekhar may be used to find an adding scheme to obtain both the scattering and transmission matrices and their derivatives with respect to the albedo of single scattering. These derivatives are crucial in determining the average path length.The numerical experiments have shown that the impact of the polarisation on the average pathlength of the emergent radiation is the largest in the atmospheres with optical thickness less than, or equal to, three, reaching 6.9% in the reflected radiation.     

Exact solution of the problem of diffuse reflection and transmission in Rayleigh scattering by use of the Laplace transform and the theory of linear singular operators

We have considered six scalar equations which are obtained from the vector transport equation for radiative transfer to the problem of diffuse reflection and transmission in finite plane-parallel Rayleigh scattering atmosphere. By use of the Laplace transform and the theory of linear singular operators these equations have been solved exactly to get the angular distribution of the intensity diffusely reflected from the surface and diffusely transmitted below the surface.     

On combined operational method for transfer problems in homogeneous,spherical media

In this paper, the Combined Operational Method developed by Busbridge (1961) in connection with the radiative transfer problems in plane-parallel atmospheres has been extended to similar problems in isotropic scattering, homogeneous spherical media. The relevant auxiliary equation has been formulated, the scattering function defined and the integro-differential equation for such function deduced. For a medium having radial distribution of source in addition to the incident flux at the outer surface, the integro-differential equations for source function and emergent intensity have been established.     

Time-dependent scattering and transmission function in an anisotropic two-layered atmosphere

In this paper we consider the time-dependent diffuse reflection and transmission problems for a homogeneous anisotropically-scattering atmosphere of finite optical depth and solve it by the principle of invariance. Also we consider the time-dependent diffuse reflection and transmission of parallel rays by a slab consisting of two anisotropic homogeneous layers, whose scattering and transmission properties are known. It is shown how to express the time-dependent reflected and transmitted intensities in terms of their components. In a manner similar to that given by Tsujita (1968), we assumed that the upward-directed intensities of radiation at the boundary of the two layers are expressed by the sum of products of some auxiliary functions depending on only one argument. Then, after some analytical manipulations, three groups of systems of simultaneous integral equations governing the auxiliary functions are obtained.     

On combined operations method for transfer problems in homogeneous,cylindrical media

The problem of diffuse reflection by a homogeneous, isotropically scattering, infinite cylindrical medium has been considered. The relevant auxiliary equation has been formulated, the scattering function defined and the integro-differential equation for such function deduced. For a medium having cylindrical distribution of source in addition to the incident flux at the outer surface, the integro-differential equation for the emergent intensity has been established.     

Scattering and transmission matrices of partially polarized radiation in a Rayleigh atmosphere bounded by a specular reflector

In a manner similar to that given in a preceding paper (cf. Castiet al., 1970), in this paper we show how to get a Cauchy system for the scattering and transmission matrices of the azimuth-independent term of partially polarized light in accordance with Rayleigh scattering in a homogeneous atmosphere bounded by a specular reflector. This set of integro-differential equations for the scattering and transmission matrices is suitable for numerical computation by high-speed digital computer.     

Exact solution of a basic equation in finite atmosphere by the method of Laplace transform and linear singular operators

A finite atmosphere having distribution of intensity at both surfaces with definite form of scattering function and source function is considered here. The basic integro-differential equation for the intensity distribution at any optical depth is subjected to the finite Laplace transform to have linear integral equations for the surface quantities under interest. These linear integral equations are transformed into linear singular integral equations by use of the Plemelj's formulae. The solution of these linear singular integral equations are obtained in terms of theX-Y equations of Chandrasekhar by use of the theory of linear singular operators which is applied in Das (1978a).     

Exact solution of a key equation in a finite planetary atmosphere by the method of laplace transform and linear singular operators

Considering the ground reflection according to Lambert's law, we establish a fundamental equation in finite planetary atmospheres. An exact form of the solution of this equation is obtained for the emergent quantities from the bounding faces in terms ofX-Y equations by the method of Laplace transform, in combination with the theory of linear singular operators.     

Radiative Transfer in Inhomogeneous Atmospheres. II

This paper is a continuation of a study of radiative transfer in one-dimensional inhomogeneous atmospheres. Two of the most important characteristics of multiple scattering in these media are calculated: the photon escape probability and the average number of scattering events. The latter is determined separately for photons leaving the medium and for photons that have undergone thermalization in the medium. The problem of finding the radiation field in an inhomogeneous atmosphere containing energy sources is also examined. It is assumed that the power of these sources, as well as the scattering coefficient, can vary arbitrarily with depth. It is shown that knowledge of the reflection and transmission coefficients of the atmosphere makes it possible to reduce all these problems to solving some first order linear differential equations with specified initial conditions. A series of new analytic results are obtained. Numerical calculations are done for two types of atmosphere with different depth dependences for the scattering coefficient. These are interpreted physically.     

Combined-Operations method for diffuse reflection by an isotropic,non-coherent scattering homogeneous sphere

Combined-Operations method has been utilised to solve the problem of diffuse reflection by a homogeneous, isotropic, non-coherent scattering spherical medium. The source function is considered to be frequency independent. The auxiliary equation has been formulated, the scattering function defined, and the integro-differential equation for this function deduced. A method for obtaining the emergent intensity and the internal source function for non-zero internal source distribution has been suggested for a given line profile.     

External radiation field in Rayleigh-Cabannes atmospheres with constant and linear sources

The external field of radiation in Rayleigh-Cabannes atmospheres with constant and linear sources is found using the resolvent matrix approach. If the internal sources are constant the external field may be described by theX-, Y-, andH-matrices. For the case with linear sources we need the derivatives of these matrices with respect to angular variable. The respective scheme for their determination is given.A set of integro-differential equations for theX- andY-matrices is derived and solved numerically. Some relations between the moments of theH-matrix are given and a sample of results for external fields are provided.     

A new technique for exact and unique solution of transfer equations in finite media

In this paper we develop a new method, combined with Laplace transformation and Wiener-Hopf technique, to obtain unique solutions of transport equations in finite media. For this purpose we consider the simple transfer equation for diffuse reflection by a plane-parallel finite atmosphere scattering radiation with moderate anisotropy. It is transformed, by Laplace transformation, into two coupled linear integral equations which are then reduced to two uncoupled Fredholm integral equations admitting of unique solutions by the method of iteration for values of the breadth of the atmosphere greater than that specified, depending on the scattering process.     

Exact solution of the problem of diffuse reflection and transmission by the method of Laplace transform and linear singular operators

The basic integro-differential equation is subjected to a one-sided finite Laplace transform to obtain linear integral equations of angular distribution of bounding faces. These linear integral equations have been transformed into linear singular integral equations which have been solved exactly to get the emergent distributions from the bounding faces by the theory of linear singular operators. Some solutions of linear singular integral equations have also been derived for future use in radiative transfer problems.     

Diffuse reflection and transmission of solar radiation by a finite atmosphere bounded by a reflecting surface

The problem of diffuse reflection and transmission of solar radiation through a planetary atmosphere bounded from below by a reflecting surface is solved. The solution method based on rewriting the solution of the proposed problem in terms of the well known standard problem solution, where the planetary surface does not reflect. The solution of the standard problem can be found elsewhere or as we did by using the maximum entropy method. Numerical results for the angular radiation intensity and for the reflection and transmission coefficients are presented and compared with those obtained by Chandrasekhar's method.