Modeling and understanding radar echos from particle cascades

High-energy in-ice particle cascades can originate from either cosmic-neutrino interactions in the ice medium itself, or cosmic-ray air showers propagating into a high-altitude ice sheet. After passing through the ice medium, a short-lived ionization trail is left in its wake that can be detected using radar. We present the expected radar signal and discuss its main features. Understanding the detailed signal properties are crucial in the detection and reconstruction of UHE cosmic-rays and neutrinos using the radar echo method.