Theoretical Fundamentals Of Atmospheric Optics

The authors of this book present the theoretical fundamentals of atmospheric optics as a science of the propagation, transformation and generation in the atmosphere of electromagnetic radiation from the ultraviolet to microwave range of the spectrum. The main characteristics of the planets of the solar system and atmospheres are described. Special attention is given to the equation of transfer of radiation in different spectrum ranges; the absorption of radiation by atmospheric gases and aerosol, molecular, aerosol and different types of non-resonant scattering; atmospheric diffraction; reflection of radiation from the surface; and glow of the atmosphere. They present the method of calculating radiation for the solar and thermal ranges of the spectrum. The monograph will be of interest to experts working in the areas of the physics and optics of the atmosphere and also suitable for students and postgraduates studying the physics of atmosphere, meteorology, physical ecology and monitoring of the environment. About Author: S Prof. Yu M Timofeyev graduated from the Faculty of Physics of the Leningrad State University in 1963 and he is now the Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Physics at the St. Petersburg State University. His scientific interests include investigations in the field of atmospheric optics, theory of radiation transfer, remote sensing of the underlying surface, interpretation and validation of satellite measurements. He is the author of more than 200 articles and 5 monographs. Prof. Timofeyev was the principal investigator of the first Soviet space experiment on thermal sounding of the atmosphere carried out in 1971 with the Meteor satellite. In recent years, he took part in the space-borne and ground-based experiments investigating the gaseous composition of the atmosphere (Ozon-Mir, Fenix, Crista, SAGE III) and has been the principal investigator (for the Russian side) of a number of international projects and contracts (NASA-MIR ESA ESTEC, AFGL, APL (USA), Alabama University (USA) and the Max-Planck Institute (Germany)). In 1991, he was awarded the Max Planck Prize (together with Prof. H. Grassl) and in 2004 he received the Prize of the St. Petersburg State University for Scientific Achievements. Aleksander Vladimirovich Vasil ‘ev graduated from the Faculty of Physics of the St. Petersburg State University in 1984. He is now an Associated Professor at the Department of Atmospheric Physics. He took part in airborne, shipborne and ground-based measurements of the radiation field in the atmosphere and of the optical characteristics of underlying surfaces and worked on the development of algorithms for processing and interpreting the data recorded in these measurements. He specialises in aerosol optics, examination of multiple scattering in radiation transfer problems, and mathematical modelling and interpretation of remote optical measurements in the atmosphere of the Earth and planets.