title: Interference phenomena at backscattering by ice crystals of cirrus clouds.
abstract: It is shown that light backscattering by hexagonal ice crystals of cirrus clouds is formed within the physical-optics approximation by both diffraction and interference phenomena. Diffraction determines the angular width of the backscattering peak and interference produces the interference rings inside the peak. By use of a simple model for distortion of the pristine hexagonal shape, we show that the shape distortion leads to both oscillations of the scattering (Mueller) matrix within the backscattering peak and to a strong increase of the depolarization, color, and lidar ratios needed for interpretation of lidar signals.
authors.forename: Anatoli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borovoi
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kustova
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konoshonkin