Appearance of circularly polarized light in an atmosphere–ocean system

The study utilized a Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate how sunlight scatters in an atmosphere-ocean system. Specifically, it calculated the degree of circular polarization of light within the ocean at various depths and angles. This circularly polarized light is generated when sunlight reflects from beneath the ocean's surface at an incident angle greater than the critical angle.

The research presented the outcomes of these simulations under different conditions, including various solar angles, wavelengths of light, and models that considered the presence of atmospheric aerosols and suspended particles (hydrosols) in the water. The aim was to gain insights into how these factors influence the circular polarization of light in the ocean, shedding light on the complex interactions in the atmosphere-ocean system.