A discrete-ordinates solution for a polarization model with complete frequency redistribution

The discrete-ordinates method is used to develop a solution to a class of polarization problems in the theory of radiative transfer. The I and Q components of the Stokes vector are used to describe the polarized radiation held, and the model considered allows a mixture of Rayleigh and isotropic scattering with complete frequency redistribution (completely noncoherent scattering) and continuum absorption. In addition to a general formulation for a finite plane-parallel medium, specific computations for both the Doppler and the Lorentz profiles of the line-scattering coefficient are reported for a general problem with internal emission and radiation incident on one surface of the layer.