title: Scattering matrices for large ice crystal particles.
abstract: The problem of light scattering by ice crystal particles whose sizes are essentially larger than the incident wavelength is divided into two parts. First, the scattered field is represented as a set of plane-parallel outgoing beams in the near zone of the particle. Then, in the far zone the scattered field is represented as a result of both diffraction and interference of these beams within the framework of physical optics. A proper ray-tracing algorithm for calculation of the amplitude (Jones) scattering matrix is developed and applied. For large particles, a number of reduced Mueller matrices are introduced and discussed, since the pure Mueller matrix obtained from the Jones matrix becomes a rather cumbersome and quickly oscillating value. Backscattering by hexagonal ice crystals, including polarization properties, is considered in detail.
authors: Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634055, Russia. borovoi@iao.ru
authors: Anatoli G
authors: AG
authors: Borovoi
authors: Igor A
authors: IA
authors: Grishin