A Solution of the Rayleigh Scattering Problem for Plane-Parallel Atmospheres of Large Optical Thickness,

Abstract

The problem of radiative transfer in plane-parallel, perfectly scattering atmosphere is described. Chandrasekhar's solution applicable to atmospheres of small and moderate optical thickness is outlined. His solution reduces the problem to that of determining the X-, Y-, K-, and L-functions, the scattering functions. Mullikin has extended this method of solution to atmospheres of large optical thickness. Sekera and Kahle have used Mullikin's method of solution of calculating the emergent radiation from plane-parallel Rayleigh-scattering atmospheres of large optical thickness. Their numerical results are reproduced here in the Appendix, as tables of scattering functions. The numerical method for determining the intensity and polarization of the radiation emerging from the top and bottom of atmospheres is given, and suggestions for additional uses of the tables are made. Finally, a few examples of representative calculations are presented. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA040881

Entities

People

  • Anne Bettine Kahle

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Atmospheres
  • Boltzmann Equation
  • Computer Programs
  • Differential Equations
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Integral Equations
  • Integrals
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Radiation
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Rayleigh Scattering
  • Scattering
  • Solar Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Spectroscopy.