Optical imaging through clouds and fog

Imaging and detection of objects at optical wavelengths offers better resolution than at microwave or millimeter wavelengths. However, the imaging is severely affected by scattering from fog and clouds. This paper presents a study of optical imaging through clouds by using the point-source vector radiative transfer theory. The point-spread function including complete polarization characteristics is presented with numerical examples at 1 m wavelength showing the effects of aperture size and optical depth on the shower curtain effects.