An analysis of the short-characteristic method for the spherical harmonic discrete ordinate method (SHDOM)

An analysis of the short-characteristic method is described. The various approaches of the short-characteristic method are classified according to the degree of the interpolation scheme for the extinction/source function product. The accuracy of a difference scheme is quantified through two types of errors: the interpolation and the flux conservation errors. First- and high-order difference schemes equipped with interpolation and flux conservation error calculations are implemented in SHDOM. Results illustrating the accuracy of higher-order schemes are shown for realistic simulated clouds.

► Various approaches of the short characteristic method are analyzed. ► First- and high-order difference schemes are implemented in SHDOM. ► Results for realistic simulated clouds are presented.