Optical properties of chain-like atmospheric aerosol particles

Abstract

Using the generalized multiparticle Mie-solution method, this study examines the optical properties of chain-like particles under different atmospheric conditions and various arrangements. The structural composition of aerosols exhibits a more pronounced impact on their extinction and absorption cross sections when the incident wavelength is below 600 nm, whereas significant changes are observed in backscattering cross sections for incident wavelengths above 600 nm. As the orientation angle between the incident wave and particle chain increases, the extinction cross sections and absorption cross sections exhibit varying degrees of decline. Furthermore, marine atmospheric aerosol chains demonstrate similar extinction cross sections to those of polluted atmospheric aerosols, and their absorption cross sections closely resemble those of clean atmospheric aerosols. In addition, for a particle chain of fixed length, the greater the disparity in particle sizes within the chain, the larger the difference between the backscattering cross section and that of the chains with equal particle sizes. This research provides theoretical support for assessing the climate effects of aerosols and inverting aerosol properties by LiDAR data.