A database of the raindrop scattering properties at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths

Abstract

Currently, the majority of publicly raindrop scattering database are calculated with spherical particles. However, as the raindrop grows, the bottom of the raindrop gradually flattens out. The differences of raindrop shape will lead to a difference of the calculated scattering parameters from reality, and further influencing the accuracy of calculations in the fields of radar detection, microwave transmission and satellite remote sensing. In this regard, we developed a non-spherical raindrop scattering parameter database (RP database) with frequencies from 3GHz to 1000GHz. It has been published in an open-access repository. We compared the RP database with the database of Ekelund et al., and found that their difference is basically under 5%; Further the comparisons were also made between the scattering parameters of ellipsoids, spherical raindrops and the non-spherical raindrops, both spherical and ellipsoidal particles have clear difference from non-spherical particles. Finally, we analyzed the group particle attenuation at different frequencies.