Multiple scattering analytical method for apparent characteristics in multilayer media

A multiple scattering analytical method is developed to analyze the apparent characteristics of multilayer isotropic and anisotropic media in this work. The model to calculate the apparent directional radiative intensity in multilayer media is established. A monolayer infinite slab with different scattering phase functions is considered as an example to examine the accuracy of the proposed method. The results are compared with data calculated by a Monte Carlo method. Moreover, the radiative intensity as a function of apparent direction, under the assumption that rays are obliquely incident on the surface of participating media, is obtained. The influence of optical thickness on the apparent directional radiative intensity in multilayer anisotropic media is analyzed. The forward and backward scattering energy, which is not involved in the attenuation in the incident direction of light, dependence on optical thickness for different scattering orders is studied. These results advance the theory of multiple scattering, especially with respect to the total energy of forward and backward scattering. We provide theoretical and experimental data relevant for atmospheric research and target detection.