Correct equations and common approximations for calculating Rayleigh scatter in pure gases and mixtures and evaluation of differences
Applied Optics, Vol. 49, Issue 7, pp. 1116-1130 (2010)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.49.001116
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Abstract
Equations for Rayleigh scattering in a mixture of gases are derived and compared to frequent approxi mations in the literature. The traditional Rayleigh scattering equation as modified by King for scatter from a pure gas is correct, whereas another version sometimes appearing in modern literature is erroneous. Use of a mixture’s refractive index, which is equivalent to assuming the isotropic molecular polarizabilities of the component gases are identical, is an approximation. Another common approximation is using only number-density weighting of the King factors. Approximation errors can be large when the major components of a mixture have disparate optical properties. Fortunately, the errors for Earth’s air are much smaller and comparable to errors from other sources.
OCIS Codes
(010.1320) Atmospheric and oceanic optics : Atmospheric transmittance
(280.3640) Remote sensing and sensors : Lidar
(290.1310) Scattering : Atmospheric scattering
(290.5870) Scattering : Scattering, Rayleigh
ToC Category:
Scattering
History
Original Manuscript: December 1, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: January 14, 2010
Published: February 23, 2010
Citation
Wynn L. Eberhard, "Correct equations and common approximations for calculating Rayleigh scatter in pure gases and mixtures and evaluation of differences," Appl. Opt. 49, 1116-1130 (2010)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-49-7-1116
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