NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Particle Scattering in the Resonance Regime: Full-Wave Solution for Axisymmetric Particles with Large Aspect RatiosReliable descriptions of the optical properties of clouds and aerosols are essential for studies of radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres. The scattering algorithms provide accurate estimates of these properties for spherical particles with a wide range of sizes and refractive indices, but these methods are not valid for non-spherical particles (e.g., ice crystals, mineral dust, and smoke). Even though a host of methods exist for deriving the optical properties of nonspherical particles that are very small or very large compared with the wavelength, only a few methods are valid in the resonance regime, where the particle dimensions are comparable with the wavelength. Most such methods are not ideal for particles with sharp edges or large axial ratios. We explore the utility of an integral equation approach for deriving the single-scattering optical properties of axisymmetric particles with large axial ratios. The accuracy of this technique is shown for spheres of increasing size parameters and an ensemble of randomly oriented prolate spheroids of size parameter equal to 10.079368. In this last case our results are compared with published results obtained with the T-matrix approach. Next we derive cross sections, single-scattering albedos, and phase functions for cylinders, disks, and spheroids of ice with dimensions extending from the Rayleigh to the geometric optics regime. Compared with those for a standard surface integral equation method, the storage requirement and the computer time needed by this method are reduced, thus making it attractive for generating databases to be used in multiple-scattering calculations. Our results show that water ice disks and cylinders are more strongly absorbing than equivalent volume spheres at most infrared wavelengths. The geometry of these particles also affects the angular dependence of the scattering. Disks and columns with maximum linear dimensions larger than the wavelength scatter much more radiation in the forward and backward directions and much less radiation at intermediate phase angles than equivalent volume spheres.
Document ID
19990008053
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Zuffada, Cinzia
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Crisp, David
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Optical Society of America
Publisher: Optical Society of America
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0740-3232
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available