Relationship between cross section and matrix normalization of polarized radiation scattering

A simple relationship between the total scattering cross section and the normalizing constant of the scattering matrix for the general case of an arbitrary scattering particle and elliptically polarized incident radiation is obtained. The polarized radiation is described by the Stokes parameters I, Q, U, V. The obtained relationship is a consequence of two forms of energy conservation. The first one is in terms of the total scattering cross section. The other one involves the normalizing constant of the scattering matrix. The obtained relationship contains dimensionless integrals of the radiation scattered over all directions of scattering. The integrals depend on the elements of the first row of the scattering matrix and on the relative values of the Stokes parameters of the incident radiation. In the case of cross section, the incident radiation is assumed to be a plane wave. In the case of normalization constant, the incident radiation is assumed to be a convergent beam. The possible dependence of the scattering integrals on specificities of the particle illumination is taken into account in the obtained relationship. The relationship may be helpful in the various cases. So, the relationship allows one to determine any of the two characteristics of the scattering process under investigation, cross section or normalizing constant, via the other one. The relationship can be used for obtaining the scattering integrals and for analyzing the influence of the incident radiation polarization on cross section and normalizing constant.     

Discrete ordinate and Monte Carlo simulations for polarized radiative transfer in a coupled system consisting of two media with different refractive indices

We present an algorithm for polarized radiative transfer in a vertically stratified system consisting of two plane-parallel media with different refractive indices. It is based on the discrete ordinate method and includes multiple elastic scattering, thermal radiation, Fresnel reflection and transmission, incident parallel-beam or isotropic radiation at the top of the upper medium and bidirectional reflection at the bottom of the lower medium. Comparisons with results from Monte Carlo simulations show that the discrete-ordinate code provides accurate results for all four elements of the Stokes vector (I, Q, U, and V) at a speed that is orders of magnitude faster.     

Coherency matrix description for statistical linear regression of Stokes parameters in rough small-particle scattering

A statistical analysis of the Stokes parameters in light scattering by randomly rough small particles shows a linear regression law between the squares of the first two components I_s and Q_s of the Stokes vector. While the coefficients of this linear regression contain physical characteristics of the particles, they cannot be directly interpreted in terms of the degree of polarization of the scattered field. We propose an interpretation of this relationship between the Stokes parameters on the basis of the general coherence-density matrix formalism. The link between the statistical regression results and the polarization properties of the stochastic scattered components of the field is established through the coherency matrix elements.     

The Hanle effect with partial frequency redistribution. Construction of a frequency-dependent polarization matrix and numerical solution by a PALI method

The polarized approximate lambda iteration (PALI) technique developed for the weak field Hanle effect relies on the decomposition of the Stokes parameters I, Q and U into six cylindrically symmetrical components. It has been applied to complete and partial frequency redistribution with redistribution matrices in which frequency redistribution is decoupled from scattering polarization. For partial frequency redistribution, the decoupling is obtained by an adequate decomposition of the frequency space into several domains. By angle-averaging frequency-dependent terms in the exact weak field Hanle redistribution matrix for a normal Zeeman triplet, we construct a redistribution matrix with coupling between frequency redistribution and polarization and no domain decomposition. The coupling is contained in generalized frequency redistribution functions that depend on the magnetic field. The redistribution matrix is expanded in the Landi Degl’Innocenti spherical tensors for polarimetry and the Stokes parameters are decomposed into cylindrically symmetrical components. A PALI method is set up for the calculation of these components. The Stokes parameters are calculated for different simple atmospheric models. The positive Q direction corresponds to the linear polarization perpendicular to the solar limb. It is shown that the frequency space decomposition may induce large errors on Stokes U in the transition region between line core and line wings but can safely be used for Stokes I and Q, the errors staying less than 1% at all the frequencies.     

Scattering of partially polarized light by aligned atoms

A compact expression for the cross section of scattering of an arbitrarily polarized light by aligned atomic systems is obtained, in which the dependence on the geometric parameters and the Stokes parameters specifying the state of partial polarization of the incident radiation is represented in explicit form. The effect of atomic alignment and the processes of dissipation of the light energy on the polarization specific features and the angular distribution of the scattered light is investigated. In particular, it is shown that, if a dissipative channel is accessible, the angular distribution and the degree of linear polarization of scattered light depend on the degree of circular polarization of the incident radiation η₂. Dissipative processes also induce the circular polarization of the light scattered by aligned atoms when η₂=0.     

Multiple scattering of elliptically polarized light in two-dimensional medium with large inhomogeneities

For elliptically polarized light incident on a two-dimensional medium with large inhomogeneities, the Stokes parameters of scattered waves are calculated. Multiple scattering is assumed to be sharply anisotropic. The degree of polarization of scattered radiation is shown to be a nonmonotonic function of depth when the incident wave is circularly polarized or its polarization vector is not parallel to the symmetry axis of the inhomogeneities.     

Scattering polarization in the presence of magnetic and electric fields

The polarization of radiation by scattering on an atom embedded in combined external quadrupole electric and uniform magnetic fields is studied theoretically. Limiting cases of scattering under Zeeman effect, and Hanle effect in weak magnetic fields are discussed. The theory is general enough to handle scattering in intermediate magnetic fields (Hanle-Zeeman effect) and for arbitrary orientation of magnetic field. The quadrupolar electric field produces asymmetric line shifts, and causes interesting level-crossing phenomena either in the absence of an ambient magnetic field, or in its presence. It is shown that the quadrupolar electric field produces an additional depolarization in the Q/I profiles and rotation of the plane of polarization in the U/I profile over and above that arising from magnetic field itself. This characteristic may have a diagnostic potential to detect steady-state and time-varying electric fields that surround radiating atoms in solar atmospheric layers.     

The scattering of partially polarized light by oriented atoms

A compact expression is derived for the cross section of scattering of arbitrarily polarized light by oriented atomic systems, in which the dependence on the geometric parameters and on the Stokes parameters preassigning the state of partial polarization of incident radiation is explicitly separated. It is found that the cross section of any photoprocess accompanied by photon absorption (stimulated emission) contains the sum of the products of the circular and linear dichroisms of the process by the respective Stokes parameters. The effect of the atomic orientation and of the dissipation of light energy on the polarization singularities and angular distribution of scattered light is investigated. In particular, it is demonstrated that, in the case of an open dissipation channel, the angular distribution remains dependent on the atomic orientation even in the case of zero degree of circular polarization of scattered radiation.     

Generation of a continuum and stimulated Raman scattering harmonics during scattering of electromagnetic radiation of relativistic intensity

A theory of the propagation instability of plane, monochromatic, circularly polarized electromagnetic waves of relativistic intensity in matter is developed for a spatially three-dimensional geometry including arbitrary polarization of the scattered radiation. Harmonic generation owing to striction and relativistic nonlinearity is examined, as well as scattering owing to electron recoil, the decay instability of the harmonics with formation of scattered electromagnetic waves (Stokes components of the stimulated Raman scattering and plasmons), the interaction of electromagnetic waves in the plasma (antistokes stimulated Raman scattering), and the generation of a radiative continuum. The transition of the three-dimensional theory to a one-dimensional problem in the nonrelativistic limit is discussed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 2034–2046 (June 1998)     

Numerical study of the extinction matrix for a plate crystal

Energy and polarization characteristics of optical radiation passed through a semitransparent plate crystal with a preset orientation in space are studied numerically within the framework of the method of physical optics. Results of calculations of the extinction matrix elements versus particle size, refractive index, crystal orientation, and incident radiation wavelength (from 0.5 to 15 μm) are presented. It is demonstrated that K₁₁, K₁₂, and K₃₄ are most informative among the elements of the extinction matrix. It is established that the first of them is most sensitive to changes in the microphysical and orientational parameters of the particle when the angle of radiation incidence on the plate changes from 0 to 20°, and the nondiagonal elements are most sensitive when the angle of radiation incidence is greater than 40°. The characteristics of the total field scattered near the forward direction are determined. It is established that their dependence on the physical parameters of the crystal is most strong at scattering angles smaller than or equal to 4° and wavelengths from the IR range (in particular, from the atmospheric transparency window).     

Retrieval of ozone profile from ground-based measurements with polarization: A synthetic study

We perform a retrieval based on optimal estimation theory to retrieve the vertical distribution of ozone from simulated spectra in the Huggins bands. The model atmosphere includes scattering by aerosol as well as Rayleigh scattering. The virtual instrument is ground-based and zenith-viewing. Using this algorithm, we show that it is possible to retrieve the ozone profile provided that the spectral resolution is at least 0.2 nm and the signal to noise ratio greater than 500. Our synthetic retrievals suggest that if we are able to measure the Stokes parameters Q, U and V with accuracy comparable to that of the intensity, the information contained in the measurements, and therefore the inversion, will improve. Furthermore, we find that the measurement of the full Stokes vector from the ground-based instrument will especially enhance the retrieval of tropospheric ozone. Utilizing concepts from information theory, our arguments are confirmed by increases in the degrees of freedom and the Shannon information content in the simulated measurements.     

Theory of Raman scattering in Europium-chalcogenides

The intensity of the spin assisted Raman scattering in the Eu-chalcogenides is calculated using the excited states which were used in the analysis of the optical absorption. Various mechanisms are examined for the Raman scattering. In these mechanisms, the cross effect of the 4f spin-orbit interaction and the exciton-phonon interaction is found to be the most important for the scattering intensity. The characteristics of the Raman scattering from this mechanism are as follows: When the frequency of the incident light is in the tail region of the absorption peak, the polarization of the scattered light is perpendicular to that of the incident light; when the light in the middle region of the absorption peak is applied, the polarization of the incident light is depolarized in the scattered light; the scattering intensity decreases when the spin fluctuation is suppressed by an application of magnetic field or by lowering temperature through the Curie temperature. These characteristics in the Raman scattering have been observed in the experiments.     

Spectral and scattering theory for a class of strongly oscillating potentials

Following a recent investigation by Pearson [23] on scattering theory for some class of oscillating potentials, we consider the Schrödinger operator inL ²(IR ⁿ ) given by:H =-e ^?U?·e ^2U ?e ^?U +e ^?2U (F + (?·Q)). HereU andF are real functions ofx, andQ is a IR ⁿ -valued function ofx, such that:

1. U is bounded, and the local singularities ofF andQ ² are controlled in a suitable sense by the kinetic energy,
2. U, Q, andF tend to zero at infinity faster than ‖x‖^?1. We defineH by a method of quadratic forms and derive the usual results of scattering theory, namely: the absolutely continuous spectrum is [0, ∞) and the singular continuous spectrum is empty, the wave operators exist and are asymptotically complete. This enlarges the class of already studied strongly oscillating potentials that give rise to the scattering and spectral properties mentioned above.

     

Gamma-ray angular correlation in intermediate energy proton-nucleus scattering

The role of γ-ray angular correlation in intermediate energy proton scattering is examined. By using polarized incident proton, detecting the polarization of the scattered particle, and/or the polarization of the emitted γ-ray, information unavailable otherwise can be obtained including a determination of the (8J_f + 3) pieces of independent parameters in the scattering amplitude from a 0⁺ target.     

Two-photon bremsstrahlung processes in atoms: Polarization effects and analytic results for the Coulomb potential

The partial wave analysis of two-photon free-free (bremsstrahlung) electron transition cross sections during scattering by a static potential U(r), as well as by an atom with a nonzero angular momentum, is carried out. The dipole interaction with radiation is taken into account in the second order of perturbation theory for the general case of elliptic polarization of photons. The polarization and angular dependences of the two-photon potential scattering amplitude is presented as a combination of the scalar product of electron momenta and photon polarization vectors and five atomic parameters containing Legendre polynomials of the scattering angle as well as radial matrix elements depending on the initial (E) and final (E′) electron energies. The results are applicable both for spontaneous double bremsstrahlung at nonrelativistic energies and for induced absorption and emission in the field of a light wave. Specific polarization effects (circular and elliptic dichroism) are analyzed for two-photon bremsstrahlung processes associated with the interference of the Hermite and anti-Hermite parts of the amplitude and depending on the sign of photon helicity. The limiting cases of high and low photon frequencies are investigated analytically, and the asymptotic forms of radial matrix elements and amplitudes for the general form of the U(r) potential are determined. Closed analytic expressions are derived for the radial matrix elements of the Coulomb potential in the form of integrals of hypergeometric function, and singularities are singled out in explicit form for E′ → E. The methods of approximate calculation of the radial matrix elements are discussed, and the results of their exact numerical calculation, as well as angular distributions and the cross sections of induced one-and two-photon emission and absorption, are given for the case of the Coulomb potential. The numerical results show that dichroism effects are quite accessible for experimental observations.     

Approximate solution for describing polarization characteristics of radiation in a Rayleigh scattering medium

An approximate analytical solution for the 4 × 4 Green’s matrix of the problem of polarized radiation transfer in a plane-parallel layer of an absorptive Rayleigh scattering medium is proposed. It permits one to perform fast estimates of angular distributions of the Stokes parameters that are created by an incident beam with an arbitrary polarization state at different levels in a layer when the layer thickness, absorption magnitude, and albedo of the underlying surface are varied. The developed solution is compared with data obtained by the numerical doubling method. The value of the scattering coefficient for a circularly polarized radiation is shown to be somewhat smaller than that for linearly polarized radiation.     

On the Q(M) depolarization metric

In this work, we have derived a depolarization metric, named Q(M) here, from the nine bilinear constraints between the 16 Mueller-Jones matrix elements, reported previously by several authors following different approaches. This metric Q(M) is sensitive to the internal nature of the depolarization Mueller matrix and does not depend on the incident Stokes vector. Q(M) provides explicit information about the inner 3 × 3 internal matrix. Four bounds are associated to Q(M) for a totally depolarizing, partially depolarizing, non-depolarizing diattenuating or partially depolarizing, and non-depolarizing non-diattenuating optical system, respectively. To our best knowledge, Q(M) is the unique depolarization metric that provides such information in one single number.     

The effects of grain size on bidirectional polarized reflectance factor measurements of snow

The linear polarization of light reflected from snow surfaces was measured by an instrument composed of a semi-automatic goniometer and an ASD spectroradiometer under a direct lamp to determine its potential to detect differences in grain size. The Stokes parameters were computed for all snow samples. The results confirmed that the degree of polarization increased in bright bands and decreased in dark bands with an increase in grain size. The trend was more obvious in the near-infrared bands and in the forward direction. As the snow grain size varied the contribution of Q parameter to the degree of polarization was more than the U parameter, which was slight. Our results confirmed that the degree of polarization may be useful to distinguish the snow grain size. All above measurements were carried out in the laboratory where the atmospheric contribution was ignored.     

Stokes vector for small rough particles: Regression analysis

The Stokes parameters and the linear polarization P_l of small rough particles composed of ice and silicate are studied with statistical methods. The probability density function of P_l and a regression analysis for the first two Stokes parameter I_s² and Q_s² are presented for three typical scattering angles θ_s=60°, 90° and 150°. The width of the probability density function of P_l given by its standard deviation increases with the roughness of the particles. A linear relationship between I_s² and Q_s² is found by the regression analysis. The slope of the linear model reflects the correlation between I_s² and Q_s² that, for a specific composition of the particles, depends on the roughness of the particles and the scattering angles. The value of the constant of the linear regression is characteristic of the composition of the particles and is not sensitive to the roughness of the particles and the scattering angles. The scattering angle θ_s=150° is the most appropriate angle for a study of rough particles of different composition.     

切比雪夫雾霾粒子的紫外光散射偏振特性研究

雾霾天气已严重影响人们的日常生活,通过检测雾霾粒子的紫外光散射偏振特性可以有效分析雾霾成因。矿物粒子、灰尘粒子等雾霾颗粒均有小规模表面粗糙度的形态学特征,因此可用切比雪夫粒子作为模型分析。“日盲”紫外光与切比雪夫雾霾粒子相互作用发生散射,散射光偏振特性可反演切比雪夫雾霾颗粒物理性质(如粒子尺寸参数、复杂折射率、粒子形变、波纹参数)。采用紫外光单次散射模型和T矩阵方法,仿真分析切比雪夫雾霾粒子物理参数与散射光偏振特性(Stokes矢量和偏振度)之间的关系,结果表明：粒径对散射光Stokes矢量Is和Qs随散射角的变化趋势影响很大,粒子的粒径和复杂折射率虚部的变化会造成散射光偏振度随散射角的变化趋势的改变;具体分析散射角度为10°时,得到粒径对Is和Qs的数值影响最大,当粒径r<1 μm时,Is随粒径呈现抛物线趋势;切比雪夫粒子形变的增大,Is呈现先增大后减小的趋势。