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Physical modeling of passive polarimetric microwave observations of the atmosphere with respect to the third Stokes parameter
Author(s) -
Kutuza B. G.,
Zagorin G. K.,
Hornbostel A.,
Schroth A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/97rs03318
Subject(s) - stokes parameters , scattering , brightness temperature , microwave , downwelling , brightness , polarization (electrochemistry) , computational physics , wavelength , physics , atmospheric sciences , optics , geology , upwelling , chemistry , oceanography , quantum mechanics
Measurements of upwelling and downwelling rain brightness temperatures show significant differences between horizontal and vertical polarization, which depend on wavelength and rain rate. These measurements are related to the first and second Stokes parameter. Also, the third Stokes parameter of atmospheric microwave emission will have measurable values under certain conditions. A polarimetric model for the description of the microwave emission and scattering by hydrometeors, including all four Stokes parameters, is presented. This model is applied to the scenario of plane layers of ice crystals and rain above a rough surface. The magnitudes of the third Stokes parameter for microwave emission from oriented nonspherical rain drops and for scattering by ice crystals are estimated. It is shown that the third Stokes parameter for rain is dominated by the first azimuthal harmonic of the emission vector. Finally, an algorithm for the computation of polarized brightness temperatures emanating from cylindrical rain cells above a surface is developed.