Scripps Institution of Oceanography

SIO Reference 58-43. The necessary structure of the coefficient functions occurring in the Schuster equations is found in order that they be consistent with the scattering functions of general radiative transfer theory. The general proceuure followed yields a base for the unification of the manifold forms of the equations used in practice and provides an objective means for their evaluation. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given in order that the Schuster equations be exact. In illustration of the theory, an extension, based on recent experimental evidence, is made of the classic equations to the case of two flows whose radiance distrioutions have distinct angular structure. Finally, the n-flow non steady state Schuster equations are rigorously derived from the equation of transfer for an arbitrary optical medium with sources