Reduction of radiative transfer problems in semi-infinite media to linear Fredholm integral equations

Linear Fredholm integral equations are derived for the Stokes vector of polarized radiation, emergent from a scattering plane parallel semi-infinite medium, by means of the full range orthogonality and completeness properties of Case's eigensolutions. A renormalization concerning the eigenmode with the greatest discrete eigenvalue is applied, which permits us to obtain a new integral equation for the zeroth Fourier component of the radiation field. The kernel of the integral equations is given in terms of Case's eigenfunctions or of the Green's function matrix for an infinite medium. For isotropic scattering, it is shown that the integral equation can be solved by means of a very rapidly convergent Neumann series. Physical arguments lead to the conclusion that the renormalized Fredholm integral equations are well suited also for arbitrary phase matrices.     

On the nonuniqueness of solutions for nonlinear integral equations in radiative transfer theory

The nonuniqueness problem is considered for the nonlinear integral equations satisfied by the reflection and transmission matrices of homogeneous plane-parallel atmospheres. The analysis of the problems for semi-infinite and finite atmospheres is based on a recently developed biorthogonolity concept. Explicit expressions for nonphysical solutions are derived. The structure of these solutions reveal that iterative solution procedures may easily yield nonphysical results, if no proper attention is paid to certain linear constraints.     

A comparison of spatial discretization schemes for differential solution methods of the radiative transfer equation

A comparison of discretization schemes required to evaluate the radiation intensity at the cell faces of a control volume in differential solution methods of the radiative transfer equation is presented. Several schemes developed using the normalized variable diagram and the total variation diminishing formalisms are compared along with essentially non-oscillatory schemes and genuinely multidimensional schemes. The calculations were carried out using the discrete ordinates method, but the analysis is equally valid for the finite-volume method. It is shown that the S schemes of the genuinely multidimensional family perform quite well, particularly in problems with discontinuous radiation intensity fields. However, they are time consuming, and so they do not always become more attractive regarding the trade-off between accuracy and computational requirements, in comparison with other high-order schemes that, although being less accurate, are also more economical.     

A novel hierarchy of differential integral equations and their generalized bi-Hamiltonian structures

With the aid of the zero-curvature equation, a novel integrable hierarchy of nonlinear evolution equations associated with a 3 x 3 matrix spectral problem is proposed. By using the trace identity, the bi-Hamiltonian structures of the hierarchy are established with two skew-symmetric operators. Based on two linear spectral problems, we obtain the infinite many conservation laws of the first member in the hierarchy.     

Generalized form of the direct and adjoint radiative transfer equations

The main goal of this paper is to give a rigorous derivation of the generalized form of the direct (also referenced as forward) and adjoint radiative transfer equations. The obtained expressions coincide with expressions derived by Ustinov [Adjoint sensitivity analysis of radiative transfer equation: temperature and gas mixing ratio weighting functions for remote sensing of scattering atmospheres in thermal IR. JQSRT 2001;68:195-211]. However, in contrast to [Ustinov EA. Adjoint sensitivity analysis of radiative transfer equation: temperature and gas mixing ratio weighting functions for remote sensing of scattering atmospheres in thermal IR. JQSRT 2001;68:195-211] we formulate the generalized form of the direct radiative transfer operator fully independent from its adjoint. To illustrate the application of the derived adjoint radiative transfer operator we consider the angular interpolation problem in the framework of the discrete ordinate method widely used to solve the radiative transfer equation. It is shown that under certain conditions the usage of the solution of the adjoint radiative transfer equation for the angular interpolation of the intensity can be computationally more efficient than the commonly used source function integration technique.     

Maxwell's equations, radiative transfer, and coherent backscattering: A general perspective

This tutorial paper provides a general overview of the hierarchy of problems involving electromagnetic scattering by particles and clarifies the place of the radiative transfer theory and the theory of coherent backscattering in the context of classical electromagnetics. The self-consistent microphysical approach to radiative transfer is compared with the traditional phenomenological treatment.     

Numerical computation of an important integral function in two-dimensional radiative transfer

Analytical properties, series expansions and asymptotic expansions are generated for S_n(x) which are important integral functions in the analysis of two-dimensional radiative transfer. These functions are shown to be Fourier transform of the generalized exponential integral function. Table of values of S₁(x), S₂(x), and S₃(x) are presented.     

A comparison of variational and discrete ordinate methods for solving radiative transfer problems

In this paper, we compare the variational and discrete ordinate methods applied to their simplest representative cases: the 2-step function variational method and the 2-stream approach. It is shown that both methods require minimal computational time. Numerical results of the source functions, intensities and fluxes for the problem of diffuse reflection by different plane-parallel isotropic atmospheres are compared between the two methods. Limitations of both approaches for different single scattering albedos and optical depths are discussed. It is also shown that the variational technique is a more efficient algorithm in handling multi-layer cloud conditions for radiative transfer problems.     

Bounded speed of propagation for solutions to radiative transfer equations

The Radiative Transfer Equation is the nonlinear transport equation

Multi-coupled single scattering method of solving vector radiative transfer equations

<正>A new method of multi-coupled single scattering(MCSS) for solving a vector radiative transfer equation is developed and made public on Internet.Recent solutions from Chandrasekhar’s X-Y method is used to validate the MCSS’s result,which shows high precision.The MCSS method is theoretically simple and clear,so it can be easily and credibly extended to the simulation of aerosol/cloud atmosphere’s radiative properties,which provides effective support for research into polarized remote sensing.     

Comparison of the radiative transfer equations for constant and spatially varying refraction

The radiative transfer equation for scattering media with constant refraction index (RTE) and the radiative transfer equation for scattering media with spatially varying refraction index (RTEvri) are compared by using the principle of conservation of energy. It is shown that the RTEvri, not only accounts for the spatial variations of refraction index, but also contains a term that accounts for the divergence of the rays. The latter term is missing in the RTE. A corrected RTE is proposed.     

A note on radiative transfer

The formulation of radiative transfer problems with internal energy sources is discussed.     

The integral variation method for solving systems of differential equations

We sketch the integral variation method for generating approximate solutions to initial value problems involving systems of first-order ordinary differential equations. This new constructive technique is illustrated with applications to the damped oscillator, a nonlinear growth equation, and zonal harmonic perturbations of a near Earth satellite orbit.     

Generalized solutions of the radiative transfer equations in a singular case

This paper is devoted to the study of the radiative transfer equations: First, we prove a global existence theorem, which allows a blow-up of the opacity _v() when 0. Thus, it extends Mercier's previous result [13]. This proof relies mainly on a nonlinear version of Hille-Yosida theorem: see Crandall-Ligett [9].Then, we prove the uniqueness of the semigroup solving (TR), and some regularity results (in the class of functions with bounded variation).Finally, we prove the convergence of some splitting algorithms associated to (TR).     

Angular smoothing and spatial diffusion from the Feynman path integral representation of radiative transfer

The propagation kernel for time dependent radiative transfer is represented by a Feynman path integral (FPI). The FPI is approximately evaluated in the spatial-Fourier domain. Spatial diffusion is exhibited in the kernel when the approximations lead to a Gaussian dependence on the Fourier domain wave vector. The approximations provide an explicit expression for the diffusion matrix. They also provide an asymptotic criterion for the self-consistency of the diffusion approximation. The criterion is weakly violated in the limit of large numbers of scattering lengths. Additional expansion of higher-order terms may resolve whether this weak violation is significant.     

大气辐射传输模型的比较研究

讨论了三种通用的大气辐射传输模型的特点和使用限制,用辐射传输定律作了数值检验,并与实验测量资料作了比较。结果表明,氧碘激光和氟化氢泛频20P4激光谱线大气透过率的计算值与实验测量值吻合,氟化氢泛频20P5却出现严重偏差。还研究了大气气溶胶种类对大气透过率计算和测量的严重影响。     

Exact equations for radiative transfer of energy and momentum in free electromagnetic fields

In a recent paper a new theory of radiative energy transfer in free electromagnetic fields was formulated. The basic quantities in this theory are the so-called angular components of the average electromagnetic energy density and of the average Poynting vector. In the present paper it is shown that these angular components obey differential equations that may be considered to be rigorous equations for the radiative transfer of energy and of momentum in free electromagnetic fields.     

Minimum entropy production closure of the photo-hydrodynamic equations for radiative heat transfer

In the framework of a two-moment photo-hydrodynamic modelling of radiation transport, we introduce a concept for the determination of effective radiation transport coefficients based on the minimization of the local entropy production rate of radiation and (generally nongrey) matter. The method provides the nonequilibrium photon distribution from which the effective (variable) absorption coefficients and the variable Eddington factor (VEF) can be calculated. For a single band model, the photon distribution depends explicitly on the frequency dependence of the absorption coefficient. Without introducing artificial fit parameters, multi-group or multi-band concepts, our approach reproduces the exact results in both limits of optically thick (Rosseland mean) and optically thin (Planck mean) media, in contrast to the maximum entropy method. Also the results for general nonequilibrium radiation between the limits of diffusive and ballistic photons are reasonable. We conjecture that the reason for the success of our approach lies in the linearity of the underlying Boltzmann equation of the photon gas. The method is illustrated and discussed for grey matter and for a simple example of nongrey matter with a two-band absorption spectrum. The method is also briefly compared with the maximum entropy concept.