Abstract

One of the important areas in ocean optics still in its infancy is the effect of both Raman and Brillouin scattering on certain high resolution spectroscopic features in the apparent optical properties of the ocean. We have developed a Monte Carlo program that is capable of accurately accounting for both Raman and Brillouin scattering in the ocean. The program is capable of coupling an inhomogeneous atmosphere to an inhomogeneous ocean through a dielectric interface. We present results showing the effect of these inelastic phenomena on the filling-in of certain Fraunhofer lines in the solar spectrum. We show how the amount of fill varies with solar zenith angle, angle of view, depth in the ocean, and magnitude of the cross sections. By monitoring these effects a great deal can be learned about the relative importance of these inelastic processes in oceanic optics.

© 1991 Optical Society of America