Calculation of Mueller Matrices and Polarization Signatures for a Slab of RandomMedium Using Vector Radiative Transfer

摘要

The Mueller matrix which characterizes a slab of random medium containingspherical particles is calculated by using the vector radiative transfer theory. The vector radiative transfer equation is solved for arbitrarily polarized incident waves. The background refractive index of the slab is allowed to be different from the surrounding media. The scattering specific intensities for four independent polarized incident waves are calculated and used to construct the Mueller matrix. The Mueller matrix contains multiple scattering due to the randomly distributed particles governed by the vector radiative transfer theory. The calculated Mueller matrices are found to have symmetrical properly and there are eight nonvanishing matrix elements. Polarization signatures are obtained at the backscattering direction from the Mueller matrix of the reflection side.