Exploiting the linearity of radiative transfer

A standard problem in radiative transfer is finding the external and internal radiative fields produced by uniform, parallel rays illuminating the top of a one-dimensional, scattering and absorbing medium of finite optical thickness. This problem has been solved in several ways with various physical restrictions. One approach is by finding the source function that represents the rate of production of scattered radiation per unit volume per unit solid angle at each point in the medium. The present paper develops and uses the idea that the standard source function is an influence function for a given medium. The linearity of radiative transfer is then used to find certain general source functions in terms of the standard one. The usefulness of the above concept is demonstrated by the following four problems: (1) derivation of Chandrasekhar's four principles of invariance from the radiative transfer equation, (2) derivation of the equations governing Chandrasekhar's X- and Y- functions without using the invariance principles or resolvent kernels, (3) finding the source function for a medium with a Lambert's-law bottom, and (4) finding the source function for a medium with a bottom that is a perfect specular reflector.