ScIce-2023 Database of Backscattering Mueller Matrices of Ice Crystals of Cirrus Clouds for Lidar Applications

Abstract An important problem in modern atmospheric optics is to describe accurately the interaction between light and ice particles in cirrus clouds, which is required for interpreting remote sensing data, especially in polarization lidar applications. The paper presents a unique database of backscattered light matrices for all typical shapes of ice crystals in cirrus clouds, including an aggregate of eight hexagonal columns, which is often used in research. The case of random particle orientation in space is considered. A unique feature of this database, in contrast to its analogs, is that it presents solutions for all typical convex crystals of cirrus clouds, as well as particles of a typical nonconvex shape – an aggregate. The solution is derived for the particle size range from 10 to 1000 μm for three most commonly used lidar wavelengths: 0.355, 0.532, and 1.064 μm. This database is extremely important for the development of algorithms for interpreting laser polarization sensing data from cirrus clouds using both ground-based and space-based lidars. The database is available in the public domain in a simple text format to facilitate its use by a wide range of scientists.