Comparative analysis of radiative transfer approaches for calculation of plane transmittance and diffuse attenuation coefficient of plane-parallel light scattering layers.

We present an analysis of a number of different approximations for the plane transmittance Tp and diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd of a semi-infinite, unbounded, plane-parallel, and optically homogeneous layer. The maximally wide optical conditions (from the full absorption to the full scattering and from the fully forward to the fully backward scattering) were considered. The approximations were analyzed from the point of view of their physical limitations and closeness to the numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation for the plane transmittance.

Comparative analysis of radiative transfer approaches for calculation of diffuse reflectance of plane-parallel light-scattering layers.

We present an analysis of a number of different approximations for the diffuse reflectance (spherical and plane albedo) of a semi-infinite, unbounded, plane-parallel, and optically homogeneous layer. The maximally wide optical conditions (from full absorption to full scattering and from fully forward to fully backward scattering) at collimated, diffuse, and combined illumination conditions were considered. The approximations were analyzed from the point of view of their physical limitations and compared to the numerical radiative transfer solutions, whenever it was possible.

Radiative properties of optically thick fluorescent turbid media.

In this paper simple analytical equations for the reflection and transmission coefficients of fluorescent turbid media are given. The case of weakly absorbing optically thick media is considered (e.g.

Scattered light corrections to Sun photometry: analytical results for single and multiple scattering regimes.

Analytical equations for the diffused scattered light correction factor of Sun photometers are derived and analyzed. It is shown that corrections are weakly dependent on the atmospheric optical thickness. They are influenced mostly by the size of aerosol particles encountered by sunlight on its way to a Sun photometer.

Scaling constant and its determination from simultaneous measurements of light reflection and methane adsorption by snow samples.

We describe a fast and accurate method for the determination of the specific surface area of snow samples based on the measurements of the snow reflection function at a single wavelength and geometry. The method is less sensitive to the assumed shape of particles as compared with other techniques. The concept of the snow scaling constant is introduced, and its value is derived from simultaneous measurements of light reflectance and methane adsorption.

Scattering optics of snow.

Permanent snow and ice cover great portions of the Arctic and the Antarctic. It appears in winter months in northern parts of America, Asia, and Europe. Therefore snow is an important component of the hydrological cycle.

Statistical properties of a photon gas in random media.

This paper is devoted to a derivation of the probability distribution of photon escape from a semi-infinite random medium, depending on the number of its interactions with macroscopic particles inside the medium. The consideration is limited to the case of highly developed multiple light scattering. The distribution function found facilitates the solution of both direct and inverse problems in light scattering media optics.

Simple approximate formula for the reflection function of a homogeneous, semi-infinite turbid medium.

A simple, approximate analytical formula is proposed for the reflection function of a semi-infinite, homogeneous particulate layer. It is assumed that the zenith angle of the viewing direction is equal to zero (thus corresponding to the case of nadir observations), whereas the light incidence direction is arbitrary. The formula yields accurate results for incidence-zenith angles less than approximately 85 degrees and can be useful in analyzing satellite nadir observations of optically thick clouds.