A Polarized Radiative Transfer Model Based on Successive Order of Scattering

Based on Successive Order of Scattering approach, a full Vector Radiative Transfer model (SOSVRT) for vertically inhomogeneous plane-parallel media has been developed. To overcome computational burden of convergence, a simple approximation technique by truncating scattering orders with a geometry serial is used to reduce computational time. Analytical Fourier decomposition of phase matrix with three symmetry relationships and two mutual inverse operators has been implemented to further improve the computation efficiency. To improve the accuracy, a post-processing procedure is implemented to accurately interpolate the Stokes vector at arbitrary angles. Comparisons with the benchmarks for an atmosphere of randomly orientated oblate spheroids show excellent agreement for each stokes parameter (within 0.1%). SOSVRT has been tested for different atmospheric condition against RT3, which is based on doubling-adding method, the results approve that SOSVRT is accurate and much more efficient in vector radiative transfer modeling, especially for optical thin atmosphere, which is the most cases in polarized radiative transfer simulation. SOSVRT is written in fortran 90 and the code is freely accessible by contacting the author.