Contribution of Raman scattering to polarized radiation field in ocean waters

Date

2015-08-31

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Peng-Wang Zhai, Yongxiang Hu, David M. Winker, Bryan A. Franz, and Emmanuel Boss, "Contribution of Raman scattering to polarized radiation field in ocean waters," Opt. Express 23(18), (07 Sept 2015) 23582-23596. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.023582

Rights

This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
Public Domain Mark 1.0

Subjects

Abstract

We have implemented Raman scattering in a vector radiative transfer model for coupled atmosphere and ocean systems. A sensitivity study shows that the Raman scattering contribution is greatest in clear waters and at longer wavelengths. The Raman scattering contribution may surpass the elastic scattering contribution by several orders of magnitude at depth. The degree of linear polarization in water is smaller when Raman scattering is included. The orientation of the polarization ellipse shows similar patterns for both elastic and inelastic scattering contributions. As polarimeters and multipolarization-state lidars are planned for future Earth observing missions, our model can serve as a valuable tool for the simulation and interpretation of these planned observations.