Department of Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy, Stephen F. Austin State University, P.O. Box 13044, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3044, USA (adamsjt4@sfasu.edu)
Using a Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate the scattering of sunlight in an atmosphere–ocean system, the degree of circular polarization of light in the ocean has been calculated at multiple depths and directions. In this system circularly polarized light is produced by the reflection of light from beneath the surface at an incident angle greater than the critical angle. We present the results of these simulations for different solar angles, wavelengths of light, and models that include the presence of aerosols in the atmosphere and hydrosols in the water.
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${r_i}$ is the mean radius, $\log {\sigma _i}$ is the standard deviation in $\log {r_i}$, ${N_i}$ is the number of particles of type $i$, ${n_i}$ is the refractive index of particles of type $i$ at 550 nm, and ${\varpi _o}$ is the single-scattering albedo.
Units of $c$ are in inverse meters. All other parameters are unit-less.
Rayleigh atmospheric optical depth.
Continental aerosol optical depth.
Maritime aerosol optical depth.
Attenuation coefficient for seawater [14].
Attenuation coefficients for hydrosols [15].
Single-scatter albedo for seawater.
Single-scatter albedo for hydrosols.
${r_i}$ is the mean radius, $\log {\sigma _i}$ is the standard deviation in $\log {r_i}$, ${N_i}$ is the number of particles of type $i$, ${n_i}$ is the refractive index of particles of type $i$ at 550 nm, and ${\varpi _o}$ is the single-scattering albedo.
Units of $c$ are in inverse meters. All other parameters are unit-less.
Rayleigh atmospheric optical depth.
Continental aerosol optical depth.
Maritime aerosol optical depth.
Attenuation coefficient for seawater [14].
Attenuation coefficients for hydrosols [15].
Single-scatter albedo for seawater.
Single-scatter albedo for hydrosols.