Monte Carlo and multicomponent approximation methods for vector radiative transfer by use of effective Mueller matrix calculations

For single scattering in a turbid medium, the Mueller matrix is the 4 x 4 matrix that multiplies the incident Stokes vector to yield the scattered Stokes vector. This matrix contains all the information that can be obtained from an elastic-scattering system. We have extended this concept to the multiple-scattering domain where we can define an effective Mueller matrix that, when operating on any incident state of light, will yield the output state. We have calculated this matrix using two completely different computational methods and compared the results for several simple two-layer turbid systems separated by a dielectric interface. We have shown that both methods give reliable results and therefore can be used to accurately predict the scattering properties of turbid media. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 290.4210, 030.5620, 290.7050.