Diffuse optics for glaciology

TL;DR

This paper introduces a diffuse optical method to probe glacier interior structures by analyzing short optical pulse propagation, enabling low-cost, non-invasive measurements of glacier properties.

Contribution

The study presents a novel diffuse optics approach for glacier analysis, combining Monte Carlo simulations with practical measurement strategies.

Findings

Feasibility of extracting glacier properties from diffuse optical measurements

Monte Carlo simulations validate the method with realistic parameters

Potential for low-cost, small-footprint glacier monitoring

Abstract

Optical probing of glaciers has the potential for tremendous impact on environmental science. However, glacier ice is turbid, which prohibits the use of most established optical measurements for determining a glacier's interior structure. Here, we propose a method for determining the depth, scattering and absorption length based upon diffuse propagation of short optical pulses. Our model allows us to extract several characteristics of the glacier. Performing Monte Carlo simulations implementing Mie scattering and mixed boundary conditions, we show that the proposed approach should be feasible with current technology. The results suggest that optical properties and geometry of the glacier can be extracted from realistic measurements, which could be implemented with low cost and small footprint.