Monte Carlo Methods In Atmospheric Optics

The Monte Carlo Methods in Atmospheric Optics

This monograph is devoted to urgent questions of the theory and applications of the Monte Carlo method for solving problems of atmospheric optics and hydrooptics. The importance of these problems has grown because of the increas ing need to interpret optical observations, and to estimate radiative balance precisely for weather forecasting. Inhomogeneity and sphericity of the atmos phere, absorption in atmospheric layers, multiple scattering and polarization of light, all create difficulties in solving these problems by traditional methods of computational mathematics. Particular difficulty arises when one must solve nonstationary problems of the theory of transfer of narrow beams that are connected with the estimation of spatial location and time characteristics of the radiation field. The most universal method for solving those problems is the Monte Carlo method, which is a numerical simulation of the radiative-transfer process. This process can be regarded as a Markov chain of photon collisions in a medium, which result in scattering or absorption. The Monte Carlo tech nique consists in computational simulation of that chain and in constructing statistical estimates of the desired functionals. The authors of this book have contributed to the development of mathemati cal methods of simulation and to the interpretation of optical observations. A series of general method using Monte Carlo techniques has been developed. The present book includes theories and algorithms of simulation. Numerical results corroborate the possibilities and give an impressive prospect of the applications of Monte Carlo methods.

Monte Carlo Methods in Atmospheric Optics

Theoretical Fundamentals of Atmospheric Optics

The book describes the theoretical fundamentals of atmospheric optics as a science of propagation, transformation and generation of electromagnetic radiation in the atmosphere from ultraviolet to microwave radiation. The main characteristics of the planets of the solar system and their atmospheres are given. The equation of the transfer of radiation in different spectral ranges, absorption of radiation by atmospheric gases and aerosol, molecular, aerosol and other types of nonresonant scattering, atmospheric refraction, reflection of radiation from the surface, and glow of the atmosphere are discussed. Methods of calculating radiation for the solar and thermal range of the spectrum are outlined. Problems of radiation energetics and remote probing of the atmosphere are discussed. 1. Solar system: planets and the Sun 2. Earth's atmosphere 3. Propagation of radiation in atmosphere 4. Molecular absorption in atmosphere 5. Scattering of light in atmosphere 6. Optical properties of underlying surfaces 7. Fundamentals of theory of transfer of natural radiation of atmosphere 8. Main concepts of theory of transfer of solar radiation 9. Radiation energetics of the atmosphereunderlying suface system 10. Radiation as a source of information on optical and physical parameters of planet atmospheres