The world around us appears as diverse and beautiful as it does owing to the fact that light is scattered. Scattering plays two roles in the intricate process of image formation. First, it is the means by which we perceive an object. An object which does not scatter light cannot be seen. However, scattering also distorts the image observed. Even in relatively pure air, visibility is limited to a range of a few tens of kilometers owing to aerosol and molecular light scattering. It is reduced to tens of meters in conditions of mist or fog. What occurs when we look at an object through a scattering medium? For example, when a point diffuse source is being observed, the radiation undergoes multiple scattering along the path to the photodetector. Therefore, the image produced by a source of this kind (i.e., the irradiance distribution in the image plane) appears as a more or less blurred speck. What we have said so far serves as an introduction to the concept of image transfer theory, or the point spread function ..

The world around us appears as diverse and beautiful as it does owing to the fact that light is scattered. Scattering plays two roles in the intricate process of image formation. First, it is the means by which we perceive an object. An object which does not scatter light cannot be seen. However, scattering also distorts the image observed. Even in relatively pure air, visibility is limited to a range of a few tens of kilometers owing to aerosol and molecular light scattering. It is reduced to tens of meters in conditions of mist or fog. What occurs when we look at an object through a scattering medium? For example, when a point diffuse source is being observed, the radiation undergoes multiple scattering along the path to the photodetector. Therefore, the image produced by a source of this kind (i.e., the irradiance distribution in the image plane) appears as a more or less blurred speck. What we have said so far serves as an introduction to the concept of image transfer theory, or the point spread function ..

The theory of the scattering of light by small particles is very important in a wide range of applications in atmospheric physics and atmospheric optics, ocean optics, remote sensing, astronomy and astrophysics and biological optics. This book summarises current knowledge of the optical properties of single small particles and natural light scattering media such as snow, clouds, foam aerosols etc. The book considers both single and multiple light scattering regimes, together with light scattering and radiative transfer in close-packed media. The third edition incorporates new findings in the area of light scattering media optics in an updated version of the text.

The existing theory of imaging through an aerosol medium, based on the small-angle approximation to radiative transfer, is extended to the general case of multiple scattering with an arbitrary degree of anisotropy. By applying the discrete-ordinates, finite-element radiation transport code TWOTRAN, we compute the modulation transfer function for a medium characterized by optical depth, single scattering albedo, and a symmetry parameter. An extended version of this investigation will appear in a 1984 issue of Applied Optics.

Electrical Engineering Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media A volume in the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Donald G. Dudley, Series Editor This IEEE Classic Reissue presents a unified introduction to the fundamental theories and applications of wave propagation and scattering in random media. Now for the first time, the two volumes of Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media previously published by Academic Press in 1978 are combined into one comprehensive volume. This book presents a clear picture of how waves interact with the atmosphere, terrain, ocean, turbulence, aerosols, rain, snow, biological tissues, composite material, and other media. The theories presented will enable you to solve a variety of problems relating to clutter, interference, imaging, object detection, and communication theory for various media. This book is expressly designed for engineers and scientists who have an interest in optical, microwave, or acoustic wave propagation and scattering. Topics covered include: Wave characteristics in aerosols and hydrometeors Optical and acoustic scattering in sea water Scattering from biological materials Pulse scattering and beam wave propagation in such media Optical diffusion in tissues and blood Transport and radiative transfer theory Kubelka—Munk flux theory and plane-parallel problem Multiple scattering theory Wave fluctuations in turbulence Strong fluctuation theory Rough surface scattering Remote sensing and inversion techniques Imaging through various media About the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Formerly the IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Waves, this joint series between IEEE Press and Oxford University Press offers outstanding coverage of the field with new titles as well as reprintings and revisions of recognized classics that maintain long-term archival significance in electromagnetic waves and applications. Designed specifically for graduate students, practicing engineers, and researchers, this series provides affordable volumes that explore electromagnetic waves and applications beyond the undergraduate level. See page il of the front matter for a listing of books in this series.

This is the 3rd volume of a "Light Scattering Reviews" series devoted to current knowledge of light scattering problems and both experimental and theoretical research techniques related to their solution. This volume covers applications in remote sensing, inverse problems and geophysics, with a particular focus on terrestrial clouds. The influence of clouds on climate is poorly understood. The theoretical aspects of this problem constitute the main emphasis of this work.