THE INFLUENCE OF CLOUD GEOMETRY ON CONTINUUM POLARIZATION

The 3D transfer equation for polarized radiation is solved for several different model configurations. In the formulation with Stokes Vector s a short characteristic approach is used for the formal solution. In the case of Rayleigh scattering the phasematrix is decomposed into a s um of matrix products to allow the use of operator splitting iteration schemes. For 30 slabs with contant extinction matrix and constant emi ssion the emerging polarized radiation is calculated. The resulting in tensities and fluxes are presented for the grid of used parameters. We find that the optical depth and the scattering parameter can be fixed from observations even if only the fluxes are known. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Ltd.