title: Effect of scattering albedo on attenuation and polarization of light underwater.
abstract: Recent work on underwater laser communication links uses polarization discrimination to improve system performance [Appl. Opt.48, 328 (2009)] [in Proceedings of IEEE Oceans 2009 (IEEE, 2009), pp. 1-4]. In the laboratory, Maalox antacid is commonly used as a scattering agent. While its scattering function closely mimics that of natural seawaters, its scattering albedo can be much higher, as Maalox particles tend to be less absorbing. We present a series of experiments where Nigrosin dye is added to Maalox in order to more accurately recreate real-world absorption and scattering properties. We consider the effect that scattering albedo has on received power and the degree of depolarization of forward-scattered light in the context of underwater laser communication links.
authors.affiliation: Naval Air Systems Command, Electro-Optics and Special Mission Sensors Division, 22347 Cedar Point Road, Patuxent River, Maryland 20670, USA. brandon.cochenour@navy.mil
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cochenour
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muth