In the problem of light scattering by ice crystals of cirrus clouds, two exact methods (FDTD – finite difference time domain and DGTD – discontinuous Galerkin time domain) and the physical-optics approximation are used for numerical calculations of the Mueller matrix in the case of ice hexagonal plates and columns. It is shown that for the crystals larger than 10 μm at the wavelength of 0.532 μm the exact methods and physical-optics approximation closely agreed within three diffraction fringes about the centers of the diffraction patterns. As a result, in the case of random orientation of these crystals, the physical-optics approximation provides accuracy 95% for the averaged Mueller matrix.
We propose a novel ground-based meteorological monitoring system. In the 20{30 GHz band, our system simultaneously measures a broad absorption peak of water vapor and cloud liquid water. Additional observation in the 50{60 GHz band obtains the radiation of oxygen. Spectral results contain vertical profiles of the physical temperature of atmospheric molecules. We designed a simple method for placing the system atop high buildings and mountains and on decks of ships. There is a simple optical system in front of horn antennas for each frequency band. A focused signal from a reflector is separated into two polarized optical paths by a wire grid. Each signal received by the horn antenna is amplified by low-noise amplifiers. Spectra of each signal are measured as a function of frequency using two analyzers. A blackbody calibration source is maintained at 50 K in a cryostat. The calibration signal is led to each receiver via the wire grid. The input path of the signal is selected by rotation of the wire grid by 90°, because the polarization axis of the reflected path and axis of the transparent path are orthogonal. We developed a prototype receiver and demonstrated its performance using monitoring at the zenith.
A comparison of the physical optics code and GOIE method to solve the problem of light scattering by hexagonal ice crystals has been presented. It was found that in the case of diffraction on a hole in the perpendicular screen, both methods give the same diffraction scattering cross section for the diffraction angles up to 60 degrees. The polarization elements of the Mueller matrix in this case differ significantly even for the angles of 15-30 degrees. It is also shown that in the case of diffraction on the tilted screen, the difference between these methods may be significant. The comparison of the results with the exact solution obtained by FDTD has confirmed that the difference between these methods is not significant for the case of diffraction on the perpendicular screen, but it is slightly preferable to use the GOIE for the calculations. The good agreement with the exact solution confirms the possibility of using the method of physical optics to solve the problem of light scattering by particles with characteristic size greater than 10 microns.
On the basis of the numerical results by using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods, we discuss the light
scattering and its dependence on the particles' physical properties, such as particle shape, surface roughness, and porosity.
The FDTD calculations were conducted for single hexagonal columns and aggregates with size parameter up to 50 taking
into account the particles' random orientation. The discussion includes the depolarization ratio as well as basic radiative
transfer parameters: phase function, extinction efficiency and asymmetry factor. Results of our light-scattering
calculations show that the simple deformation of the original shape alters the optical properties. Comparing with the
shape effects, surface micro-roughness and porosity cause minor changes in some scattering parameters However, the
micro-roughness makes the depolarization ratios increase as well as the irregular shaped aggregate particles.
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