Characterizing ice particles using two-dimensional reflections of a lidar beam

• Main Authors: M. Goerke, Z. Ulanowski, G. Ritter, E. Hesse, R. R. Neely, L. Taylor, R. A. Stillwell, P. H. Kaye
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Figshare 2017
• Subjects: Cancer; Virology; Medicine; 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Chemical sciences; Science Policy; Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Cell Biology; Genetics; 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Earth and related environmental sciences; Space Science; 29999 Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Physical sciences; Biotechnology; Evolutionary Biology; Developmental Biology; Greenland
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3813676; https://figshare.com/collections/Characterizing_ice_particles_using_two-dimensional_reflections_of_a_lidar_beam/3813676

We report a phenomenon manifesting itself as brief flashes of light on the snow’s surface near a lidar beam. The flashes are imaged and interpreted as specular reflection patterns from individual ice particles. Such patterns have a two-dimensional structure and are similar to those previously observed in forward scattering. Patterns are easiest to capture from particles with well-defined horizontal facets, such as near-horizontally aligned plates. The patterns and their position can be used to determine properties such as ice particle shape, size, roughness, alignment, and altitude. Data obtained at Summit in Greenland show the presence of regular hexagonal and scalene plates, columns, and rounded plates of various sizes, among others.