A comparison of the stokes vector solutions using different methods

In this paper the authors employ accurate vector radiative transfer calculations using two vector radiative transfer models VLIDORT and SOS to perform a systematic study of the errors for the homogeneous, plane-parallel Rayleigh and Mie scattering atmosphere above a Lambertian surface. We calculate percent errors in upwards radiance for various directions of light incidence and reflection. The errors increase rapidly when the directions of incidence and reflection is closed to 10 and 80 degree. And the relative errors are lager in Mie scattering atmosphere than that in Rayleigh scattering atmosphere. The maximum errors of Stokes parameters I and Q in molecular scattering case are less than 15% and -0.0011, respectively. In the case involving the impacts of aerosols, the maximum relative error in I is 20.3%.