ON THE RADIATIVE-TRANSFER IN ATMOSPHERES WITH RANDOMLY DISTRIBUTED INHOMOGENEITIES

We consider the problem of determining the statistical properties (int ensity distribution, mean value and relative mean square deviation) of radiation which emerges from a medium with randomly distributed inhom ogeneities when scattering is taken into account. The analytical forma lism we propose is based on Ambartsumian's method of addition of layer s. This can be applied to both local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) a nd Non-LTE cases for a wide variety of situations. A more detailed tre atment of the special case of pure scattering, considered as the proto type problem for the transfer of the L-alpha- line radiation, is given . The present investigation is assumed to apply for interpreting the s pectra of various inhomogeneous structures on the Sun. It is shown in particular that some specific features of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV ) spectra of solar prominences may be accounted for within the framewo rk of the theory we propose.