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Depolarization of 19 and 28 GHz earth‐space signals by ice particles
Author(s) -
Cox D. C.,
Arnold H. W.,
Hoffman H. H.
Publication year - 1978
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/rs013i003p00511
Subject(s) - depolarization , thunderstorm , attenuation , physics , lightning (connector) , atmospheric sciences , geology , optics , meteorology , biophysics , biology , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
Strong depolarization (sometimes > −20 dB) at 19 and 12 GHz occurring with low signal attenuation (often <1 dB) and associated with summer thunderstorms was described earlier. This paper describes winter observations at 19 and 28 GHz of what appears to be the same phenomenon. The depolarization is a few dB stronger at 28 GHz but is highly correlated between the two frequencies. The winter depolarization events appear when ground temperatures are near or below freezing and clouds are along the path. These events are caused by differential phase shift through ice crystals in the clouds.