On normalization of scattering matrices of polarized radiation

The condition of normalization of scattering matrix is derived when the polarized radiation is described by the Stokes parameters I, Q, U, V. The normalization of the matrix is based on energy conservation. It has a probabilistic meaning also. When the scattering particle is nonspherical, scattered radiation may depend not only on the angle between incident and scattered radiation but on orientation of the scattering plane also. In these cases, the known change of the Stokes parameters Q, U of the incident radiation with respect to various scattering planes influences the normalization. The derived normalization includes all elements of the first line of scattering matrix and the characteristics of polarization of the incident radiation. Dependence on this polarization is appeared because the polarization influences intensities of scattered radiation and, therefore, is included in energy conservation. The routine normalization includes the first element of the scattering matrix only. These two normalizations determine the different normalizing constants of the scattering matrix. The simple computational example of scattering by the particle that has the shape of a finite cylinder is considered. This example shows that the values of normalizing constants of the routine normalization may considerably differ from the ones of the obtained normalization. The results of the study may be useful in various investigations of radiation scattering, especially in the cases when the scattering particles are nonspherical.