Gauge theory approach to describe ice crystals habit evolution in ice clouds

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel gauge theory-based framework to model the evolution of ice crystal habits in clouds, aiming to improve understanding of their microphysical properties and impact on climate.

Contribution

It applies a non-Abelian gauge theory with SU(2)×U(1) symmetry to derive coupled Fokker-Planck equations for ice habit growth, integrating symmetry principles into cloud microphysics modeling.

Findings

Develops a field-theoretical model for ice crystal habit evolution.

Derives coupled stochastic equations capturing habit dynamics.

Proposes a new theoretical approach for climate modeling of ice clouds.

Abstract

Ice clouds, particularly cirrus clouds, significantly influence Earth's radiative balance but remain poorly characterized in current climate models. A major uncertainty arises from the variability of their microphysical properties, especially the evolution of ice crystal habits under depositional growth. We propose a heuristic method to describe habit evolution based on four fundamental shapes identified in the literature and from in situ observations: droxtals, plates, columns, and rosettes. These represent the primary forms that are relevant under depositional growth, excluding aggregation. In this study, we employ a non-Abelian gauge theory within a field-theoretical framework, imposing an SU(2) $\otimes$ U(1) symmetry on the fields associated with each habit probability growth. This symmetry enables the derivation of a modified system of coupled Fokker-Planck equations, capturing the stochastic growth dynamics of ice crystals while incorporating phenomenological mutual influences among habits. This framework outlines a novel theoretical direction for integrating symmetry principles and field-theoretical tools into the modelling of habit dynamics in ice clouds.