Estimation of the Absorption Effect on Light Scattering by Atmospheric Ice Crystals for Wavelengths Typical for Problems of Laser Sounding of the Atmosphere

Abstract

Results of analyzing the numerical calculation of light scattering matrices for ice crystals of arbitrary shape with allowance for absorption are presented. The matrices are obtained within the framework of the geometrical optics approximation. The effect of absorption on properties of light backscattering is estimated for problems of laser sounding of the atmosphere. The results demonstrate that taking into account the absorption when the wavelength is shifted inward the IR range leads to a decrease in the scattered radiation intensity. The effect of absorption for wavelengths of 0.355 and 0.532 μm does not exceed hundredths of a percent; for 1.064 μm, several percent; and for the near IR range, it can exceed tens of percent.