Radiative Wave Equations for Vector Electromagnetic Propagation in Dense Nontenuous Media

Abstract

A set of radiative wave equations including all four Stokes parameters is derived for vector electromagnetic wave propagation in dense nontenuous media. The derivation is based on the quasi-crystalline approximation with coherent potential on the first moment of the field, and the modified ladder approximation on the second moment of the field. These two approximations are shown to be energetically consistent for dense nontenuous media. To simplify the derivation of the radiative wave equations, the model of small spherical scatterers is used. The derived radiative wave equations assume the same form as the classical radiative transfer equations. However, the relations of the extinction rate, the albedo and the phase matrix to the physical parameters of the media include the effects of dense media and can be different from the classical relations of independent scattering.