CALCULATION ON THE LIGHT SCATTERING FUNCTION OF HEXAGONAL ICE CRYSTALS

Hexagonal ice crystal is a basic form of the particles in cirrus. The emphasis in this paper is on discussing the computational results of scattering phase matrices for infrared absorptive band by making use of the model developed by the authors. Comparisons have been made between infrared and visible light as well as between hexagonal columns and plates and equivalent spheriods and spheres. It is found that the effects of light absorption on phase function may cause the decreases of scattering energy in side direction and the directions near backscattering, and weaken halo and rainbow peaks which are induced by the refractions and internal reflections. There is a general agreement in the phase functions for ice crystals with different shapes. However, the scattering intensity in side direction for spheres and in backward and backside directions for spheroids is weaker as compared with hexagons. It is believed that these features would, doubtless, have influences on the detection of cirrus by laser and radiation transfer in the atmosphere.