Backscattering Properties of Nonspherical Ice Particles Calculated by Geometrical-Optics-Integral-Equation Method

Backscattering properties of ice crystal models (Voronoi aggregates (VA), hexagonal columns (COL), and six-branched bullet rosettes (BR6)) are calculated by using geometrical-opticsintegral-equation (GOIE) method. Characteristics of depolarization ratio ( δ ) and lidar ratio ( L ) of the crystal models are examined. δ ( L ) values are 0.2~0.3 (4~50), 0.3~0.4 (10~25), and 0.5~0.6 (50~100) for COL, BR6, and VA, respectively, at wavelength λ=0.532 μm. It is found that small deformation of COL model could produce significant changes in δ and L .