Polarization Optics of Random Media (Springer Praxis Books / Environmental Sciences)

Polarization methods for the study of the light scattering properties of various disperse media have hitherto only been reviewed in specialist journals relating to the fields of geophysics, astrophysics and optics. The only texts in this field are devoted to specific topics and do not cover the subject as a whole. In this book the author presents for the first time, the main results obtained in the field of polarization optics in a wide range of application areas. These will be used widely in different branches of modern science and technology over the next century. It is expected that this book will stimulate studies in the field and attract new people to this interesting field of research.

 Recent progress in computer and satellite technology has led to an increased ability to analyze the polarization of scattered light, arising from clouds, aerosols, snow fields and the ocean. This has important implications for researchers in astrophysics, atmospheric research and applied optics.

Polarization Optics of Random Media is the first book t draw together all the information previously available only in specialized literature and to review polarization optics in a wide range of disperse media. It presents the major results obtained from recent research in a wide range of  applications, as well as providing theoretical insight into the physical processes of polarization transformation during photon transport in disperse media.