Polarimetric radar studies of atmospheric ice particles

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/36.285183· OSTI ID:7011338

Vivekanandan, J ^[1]; Bringi, V N ^[2]; Hagen, M; Meischner, P ^[3]

---

1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
2. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering
3. DLR, Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany). Inst. fur Physik d. Atmosphaere

Single scattering properties of ice crystals are described at microwave frequencies using discrete dipole approximations and Rayleigh scattering techniques. For a given shape, the average bulk densities of ice crystals can be estimated using the ratio of the copolarization basis. Reflectivity depends on the ice content (g [center dot] m[sup [minus]3]), and also on both size distribution parameters and average bulk density of the scatterers. Differential propagation phase is primarily a function of shape, ice water content, and is independent of size distribution parameters. Thus, by using a combination of polarimetric radar measurements, average ice content, bulk density, and shape of distributed scatterers can be inferred. These techniques become quite complex in the case of a winter storm where scatterers can exist with varying shape and bulk densities. Polarimetric radar properties of such complex distributed scatterers are modeled. Physical variations in the relation among ice water content, reflectivity, and differential propagation phase are considered with respect to change in the shape of size distribution, bulk density, and average shape of the scatterers. Also, simultaneous polarimetric radar observations and in situ aircraft measurements are shown to demonstrate practical applicability of the techniques.

• OSTI ID: 7011338
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Vol. 32:1; ISSN IGRSD2; ISSN 0196-2892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
BULK DENSITY
DENSITY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HUMIDITY
ICE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MOISTURE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE SIZE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLARIMETRY
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
REMOTE SENSING
SIZE