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  • © 2004

Transfer of Polarized Light in Planetary Atmospheres

Basic Concepts and Practical Methods

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 318)

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Description of Polarized Light

    • Joop W. Hovenier, Cornelis Van Der Mee, Helmut Domke
    Pages 1-22
  3. Single Scattering

    • Joop W. Hovenier, Cornelis Van Der Mee, Helmut Domke
    Pages 23-62
  4. Plane-parallel Media

    • Joop W. Hovenier, Cornelis Van Der Mee, Helmut Domke
    Pages 63-95
  5. Orders of Scattering and Multiple-Scattering Matrices

    • Joop W. Hovenier, Cornelis Van Der Mee, Helmut Domke
    Pages 97-133
  6. The Adding-doubling Method

    • Joop W. Hovenier, Cornelis Van Der Mee, Helmut Domke
    Pages 135-186
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 187-258

About this book

The principal elements of the theory of polarized light transfer in planetary atmospheres are expounded in a systematic but concise way. Basic concepts and practical methods are emphasized, both for single and multiple scattering of electromagnetic radiation by molecules and particles in the atmospheres of planets in the Solar System, including the Earth, and beyond. A large part of the book is also useful for studies of light scattering by particles in comets, the interplanetary and interstellar medium, circumstellar disks, reflection nebulae, water bodies like oceans and suspensions of particles in a gas or liquid in the laboratory.

Throughout the book symmetry principles, such as the reciprocity principle and the mirror symmetry principle, are employed. In this way the theory is made more transparent and easier to understand than in most papers on the subject. In addition, significant computational reductions, resulting from symmetry principles, are presented. Hundreds of references to relevant literature are given at the end of the book. Appendices contain supplementary information such as a general exposition on properties of matrices transforming Stokes parameters of light beams. Each chapter concludes with a number of problems with answers or hints for solution.

The readers should have some basic knowledge of physics and mathematics. The book is suitable as a textbook for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It will also be of interest to science professionals in one of the many disciplines in which electromagnetic scattering plays an important role, like astrophysics, atmospheric optics, remote sensing, marine optics, biophysics and biomedicine.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Astronomical Institute “Anton Pannekoek”, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Joop W. Hovenier

  • Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Cornelis Mee

  • Potsdam, Germany

    Helmut Domke

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access