Light scattering by random convex polyhedron in geometric optics approximation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new geometrical model for ice crystal scattering properties using convex polyhedra, enabling comprehensive polarization calculations for atmospheric radiative transfer.

Contribution

It presents a novel convex hull-based geometric model and computational scheme for light scattering matrices applicable to any convex polyhedron in geometric optics.

Findings

Calculated scattering matrices for different ice crystal shapes show good agreement with existing models.

The model is applicable to radiative transfer simulations and remote sensing data interpretation.

The approach works for any convex polyhedron within the geometric optics approximation.

Abstract

Based on the convex hull construction algorithm, a new geometrical model of ice crystals is proposed to investigate the scattering properties of cirrus clouds particles. Light scattering matrices involving complete polarization information are calculated in geometric optics approximation for randomly oriented large crystals with random and given convex polyhedron shape. The proposed model construction method and computational scheme of light scattering matrix works for any convex polyhedron within the scope of geometrical optics. To illustrate the broad applicability of the proposed ice crystal model, scattering matrices for three ice crystal examples with different geometrical shapes are calculated under a unified computational framework. Diffraction and absorption are not considered in this work. The calculated results for the classical hexagonal column model show overall agreement with those reported by other authors. The crystal model and scattering matrix computational framework developed in this study are applicable to radiative transfer simulations and remote sensing data interpretation in terrestrial and planetary atmospheres.