Influence of Multiple Scattering of the Intensity and Polarization of Diffuse Sky Radiation

1964

A physical explanation of the intensity and polarization of diffusion skylight in the plane of the sun’s vertical is attempted by an approximation method which takes into account the effects of multiple scattering. Various model atmospheres are considered. The scattered radiation field is assumed to be composed of (1) the scattered radiation due to the molecular atmosphere resulting from all orders of scattering; (2) the scattered radiation due to the turbid atmosphere including primary scattering only; and (3) the scattered radiation due to the turbid atmosphere resulting from secondary and higher-order scattering. The contribution due to the first term can be computed from the tables appl…