Modeling of Optical Beam Spread in Sea Ice
Abstract
This two year theoretical investigation of the optical properties of first year sea ice yielded several important results: (1) beam spread function measurements provide an important constraint on inversion of optical data to obtain ice scattering properties; (2) several hundred optical path lengths can be required to approach the asymptotic radiance distribution for point light sources, even though the ice is highly scattering; (3) photon diffusion theory gives a reasonably good description of light propagation deep within sea ice and, more importantly, shows that sea ice scattering phase functions are highly peaked near the forward scattering direction; (4) classical radiative transfer theory is adequate for prediction of light propagation within sea ice, and (5) it is possible to begin with sea ice physical properties and proceed in a rigorous fashion to predict sea ice inherent and apparent optical properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA343677
Entities
People
- Curtis D. Mobley