Errors in radiance calculations induced by using scalar rather than Stokes vector theory in a realistic atmosphere-ocean system

Abstract

Virtually all calculations to date dealing with radiance calculations in an atmosphere-ocean system have been performed using a scalar theory approach where polarization effects have been neglected. This approach is always in error; however, neither the nature nor the magnitude of the errors induced has been studied. We have written a large scale Monte Carlo program to calculate the complete four component Stokes vector at any region in a fully inhomogenous atmosphere ocean system with inclusion of a stochastic interface. The program uses as input the Mueller matrices for both the aerosols in the atmosphere as well as the hydrosols in the ocean. The Mueller matrix for the stochastic interface is also accurately accounted for. The correlated sampling technique is used to compute radiance distributions for both the scalar and the Stokes vector formulations in a single computer run, thus allowing a direct comparison of the errors induced. Results will be presented for a realistic atmosphere-ocean system where Rayleigh scattering is assumed for both the atmosphere and ocean