TOP
header image
 MJC:  Home | Publications | Contact | Feedback

 Topics in Particle and Dispersion Science

  Home | Survey | Topics | Index | References | Dictionary | Contributing | Gallery | Community

RTE numerical solution methods: Introduction Prev topic | Next topic

Radiative transfer equation (RTE) for a medium can be solved analytically only in the simplest of cases. One of such cases is the radiative transfer in a medium that does not scatter light (see Lambert's law). Hence, intense effort has been expended on developing methods of solving RTE numerically (see radiative transfer equation, solution, numerical methods). [AAK]

Models of radiative transfer may have to account for inhomogeneous spatial distributions of either or both the scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient. In a medium such as the atmosphere or the ocean, one major source of such inhomogeneity is the vertical stratification of the medium, for example, of the atmosphere-ocean system (for example, Bulgarelli B and Doyle 2004), the atmosphere (for example, Tsay SC et al 1990) and the ocean (for example, Philpot WD 1987). Stratification of the absorption coefficient spectrum with altitude in the atmosphere has been considered by, for example, Rothman et al. 2005 (see also absorption of light, coefficient, of, atmospheric gases). Radiative transfer models for some turbid media may need to account for additional forms of inhomegeneity, such as broken cloud fields in the atmosphere (for example, Zuev VE and Titov 1995). [AAK, MJ]

See also RTE solution.

CITATION:
Kokhanovsky A. A. (ed.) 2008. Radiative transfer equation (RTE): Numerical solution methods - Introduction (www.tpdsci.com/Tpc/RTESolNumIntro.php). In: Top. Part. Disp. Sci. (www.tpdsci.com).
HISTORY:
Published: 2008
Modified: 12-May-2008
Peer-reviewed: PENDING
Copyright 2005-2008 MJC Optical Technology. All rights reserved. | Terms of use Menu