Backscattering by hexagonal ice crystals of cirrus clouds

Light backscattering by randomly oriented hexagonal ice crystals of cirrus clouds is considered within the framework of the physical-optics approximation. The fine angular structure of all elements of the Mueller matrix in the vicinity of the exact backward direction is first calculated and discusse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics letters Vol. 38; no. 15; p. 2881
Main Authors Borovoi, Anatoli, Konoshonkin, Alexander, Kustova, Natalia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.2013
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Summary:Light backscattering by randomly oriented hexagonal ice crystals of cirrus clouds is considered within the framework of the physical-optics approximation. The fine angular structure of all elements of the Mueller matrix in the vicinity of the exact backward direction is first calculated and discussed. In particular, an approximate equation for the differential scattering cross section is obtained. Its simple spectral dependence is discussed. Also, a hollow of the linear depolarization ratio around the exact backward direction inherent to the long hexagonal columns is revealed.
ISSN:1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/ol.38.002881