Approximate theory of linearly polarized light propagation through a scattering medium

This work continues developing the analytical theory of polarized light tra nsfer through scattering media and simplification of the Green's matrix of the problem with splitting the equations for Green's matrix elements starte d in our previous paper (Zege EP, Chaikovskaya LI. JQSRT 1996;55:19-31). Th e specific problem is the propagation of linearly polarized light, which is governed by the central block of the Green's matrix with elements (2,2), ( 2,3), (3,2), (3,3). The small parameter of the propagation problem is a val ue, which characterizes the rotation of the polarization plane in a near-fo rward scattering event. For a macroscopically isotropic medium with large s cattering particles this value is always small. A new set of transfer equat ions for linearly polarized light propogation and scattering is given, spli tting of this equation having been achieved. The more forward elongated the medium phase function is the more accurate the solution to the problem. An effective iteration procedure to solve the original set of equations is su ggested. It is shown that the linearly polarized light transfer problem red uces to a scalar problem and can be solved analytically for small-angle for ward propagation and near-backward scattering. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.