DENSE MEDIUM RADIATIVE-TRANSFER THEORY FOR 2 SCATTERING LAYERS WITH ARAYLEIGH DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICLE SIZES

Dense medium radiative transfer theory is applied to a three-layer mod el consisting of two scattering layers overlying a homogeneous half sp ace with a size distribution of particles in each layer. A model with a distribution of sizes gives quite different results than those obtai ned from a model with a single size. The size distribution is especial ly important in the low frequency limit when scattering is strongly de pendent on particle size. The size distribution and absorption charact eristics also affect the extinction behavior as a function of fraction al volume. Theoretical results are also compared with experimental dat a. The sizes, permittivities, and densities used in the numerical illu strations are typical values for snow.