Q-space analysis of light scattering by ice crystals

- Q-space analysis is applied to single-scattering properties of ice crystals with various habits/shapes over a range of sizes.
- There are many common features between scattering by spheres and a wide variety of ice crystals.
- These features evolve in a quasi-universal manner with the internal coupling parameter ρ′.

Q-space analysis is applied to extensive simulations of the single-scattering properties of ice crystals with various habits/shapes over a range of sizes. The analysis uncovers features common to all the shapes: a forward scattering regime with intensity quantitatively related to the Rayleigh scattering by the particle and the internal coupling parameter, followed by a Guinier regime dependent upon the particle size, a complex power law regime with incipient two dimensional diffraction effects, and, in some cases, an enhanced backscattering regime. The effects of significant absorption on the scattering profile are also studied. The overall features found for the ice crystals are similar to features in scattering from same sized spheres.