Properties of Light Backscattering on Hollow Hexagonal Ice Columns for Optical Models of Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus clouds significantly affect the radiation budget of our planet and play an important role in climate formation. To study their optical properties, it is necessary to solve the problem of light scattering by nonspherical ice particles. This paper focuses on the numerical simulation of characteristics of light backscattering by hollow hexagonal columns by the physical optics method. We examine particles of 10 to 316 μm in size and wavelengths of 0.355, 0.532, and 1.064 μm. The findings reveal that the backscattering peak caused by corner reflection rapidly decreases as the cavity of hexagonal columns increases, then several secondary maxima of up to 10% of the main peak appear. The positions of these secondary maxima are independent of the particle size and incident wavelength, but strongly depend on the particle shape. These results are valuable for developing an optical model of cirrus clouds and for laser sounding of the atmosphere.