Underwater polarization patterns considering single Rayleigh scattering of water molecules

Researchers have found that underwater polarization patterns are stable and similar to atmospheric polarization patterns within Snell’s window. Because of detection equipment and experimental environment limitations, numerical simulations have been the most common method to study underwater polarization characteristics. Initially, underwater polarization distributions have been simulated under the assumption that incident light is unpolarized and underwater scattering can be ignored. In the study, a numerical model that uses the Stokes vector and Mueller matrix is presented. Atmospheric polarization distribution, the refraction of the air–water interface and the single Rayleigh scattering of water molecules are taken into consideration. The similarity between the simulated and measured results proves the accuracy of the model. In addition, if the scattering Mueller matrix of the water can be measured, the polarization distribution pattern of the water can be simulated using the model. This model provides a tool for researchers to quantitatively analyse the underwater polarization distribution. Furthermore, this study can help realize applications of underwater bionic polarization navigation technology. It will provide some new solutions to the underwater navigation challenges that people have struggled with for many years.