A linearized two-stream radiative transfer code for fast approximation of multiple-scatter fields

Performance is an issue for radiative transfer simulations in hyper-spectral remote sensing backscatter retrieval algorithms. 2-Stream models are often used to speed up flux and radiance calculations. Here we present a linearized 2-stream multiple-scatter code, with the ability to generate analytic weighting functions with respect to any atmospheric or surface property. We examine 2-stream accuracy for the satellite intensity diffuse field, and the corresponding Jacobians for total ozone column and surface albedo, for an application in the ozone UV Huggins bands.

► Linearized 2-stream multiple-scatter (2S MS) radiative transfer code. ► Analytic weighting functions for any atmospheric or surface property. ► 2S MS accuracy examined for radiances, total ozone, albedo Jacobians.