scholarly journals Atmospheric Ice Particle Shape Estimates from Polarimetric Radar Measurements and In Situ Observations

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 2569-2587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Y. Matrosov ◽  
Carl G. Schmitt ◽  
Maximilian Maahn ◽  
Gijs de Boer

AbstractA remote sensing approach to retrieve the degree of nonsphericity of ice hydrometeors using scanning polarimetric Ka-band radar measurements from a U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program cloud radar operated in an alternate transmission–simultaneous reception mode is introduced. Nonsphericity is characterized by aspect ratios representing the ratios of particle minor-to-major dimensions. The approach is based on the use of a circular depolarization ratio (CDR) proxy reconstructed from differential reflectivity ZDR and copolar correlation coefficient ρhυ linear polarization measurements. Essentially combining information contained in ZDR and ρhυ, CDR-based retrievals of aspect ratios are fairly insensitive to hydrometeor orientation if measurements are performed at elevation angles of around 40°–50°. The suggested approach is applied to data collected using the third ARM Mobile Facility (AMF3), deployed to Oliktok Point, Alaska. Aspect ratio retrievals were also performed using ZDR measurements that are more strongly (compared to CDR) influenced by hydrometeor orientation. The results of radar-based retrievals are compared with in situ measurements from the tethered balloon system (TBS)-based video ice particle sampler and the ground-based multiangle snowflake camera. The observed ice hydrometeors were predominantly irregular-shaped ice crystals and aggregates, with aspect ratios varying between approximately 0.3 and 0.8. The retrievals assume that particle bulk density influencing (besides the particle shape) observed polarimetric variables can be deduced from the estimates of particle characteristic size. Uncertainties of CDR-based aspect ratio retrievals are estimated at about 0.1–0.15. Given these uncertainties, radar-based retrievals generally agreed with in situ measurements. The advantages of using the CDR proxy compared to the linear depolarization ratio are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1503-1517
Author(s):  
Sergey Y. Matrosov ◽  
Alexander V. Ryzhkov ◽  
Maximilian Maahn ◽  
Gijs de Boer

AbstractA polarimetric radar–based method for retrieving atmospheric ice particle shapes is applied to snowfall measurements by a scanning Ka-band radar deployed at Oliktok Point, Alaska (70.495°N, 149.883°W). The mean aspect ratio, which is defined by the hydrometeor minor-to-major dimension ratio for a spheroidal particle model, is retrieved as a particle shape parameter. The radar variables used for aspect ratio profile retrievals include reflectivity, differential reflectivity, and the copolar correlation coefficient. The retrievals indicate that hydrometeors with mean aspect ratios below 0.2–0.3 are usually present in regions with air temperatures warmer than approximately from −17° to −15°C, corresponding to a regime that has been shown to be favorable for growth of pristine ice crystals of planar habits. Radar reflectivities corresponding to the lowest mean aspect ratios are generally between −10 and 10 dBZ. For colder temperatures, mean aspect ratios are typically in a range between 0.3 and 0.8. There is a tendency for hydrometeor aspect ratios to increase as particles transition from altitudes in the temperature range from −17° to −15°C toward the ground. This increase is believed to result from aggregation and riming processes that cause particles to become more spherical and is associated with areas demonstrating differential reflectivity decreases with increasing reflectivity. Aspect ratio retrievals at the lowest altitudes are consistent with in situ measurements obtained using a surface-based multiangle snowflake camera. Pronounced gradients in particle aspect ratio profiles are observed at altitudes at which there is a change in the dominant hydrometeor species, as inferred by spectral measurements from a vertically pointing Doppler radar.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin L. Dunnavan ◽  
Zhiyuan Jiang

Abstract The orientation of falling ice particles directly influences estimates of microphysical and radiative bulk quantities as well as in situ retrievals of size, shape, and mass. However, retrieval efforts and bulk calculations often incorporate very basic orientations or ignore these effects altogether. To address this deficiency, this study develops a general method for projecting bulk distributions of particle shape for arbitrary orientations. The Amoroso distribution provides the most general bulk aspect ratio distribution for gamma-distributed particle axis lengths. The parameters that govern the behavior of this aspect ratio distribution depend on the assumed relationship between mass, maximum dimension, and aspect ratio. Individual spheroidal geometry allows for eccentricity quantities to linearly map onto ellipse analogs, whereas aspect ratio quantities map nonlinearly. For particles viewed from their side, this analytic distinction leads to substantially larger errors in projected aspect ratio than for projected eccentricity. Distribution transformations using these mapping equations and numerical integration of projection kernels show that both truncation of size distributions and changes in Gaussian dispersion can alter the modality and shape of projection distributions. As a result, the projection process can more than triple the relative entropy between the spheroidal and projection distributions for commonly assumed model and orientation parameters. This shape uncertainty is maximized for distributions of highly eccentric particles and for particles like aggregates that are thought to fall with large canting-angle deviations. As a result, the methods used to report projected aspect ratios and the corresponding values should be questioned.


1990 ◽  
Vol 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Monkowski ◽  
M.A. Logan ◽  
L.F. Wright

ABSTRACTIn the next generation of semiconductor devices, minimum dimensions will be smaller, aspect ratios (height to width) of devices features will be larger, and BPSG dielectrics will be challenged to deal with these changes. A new process, which integrates deposition, flow, and anneal of BPSG films, and allows void-free filling of high-aspect-ratio trenches with excellent surface planarization, is presented in this paper. Scanning electron micrographs are used to show the extent of film coverage and planarization. Additional characterization includes ion chromatography, ellipsometry, stress measurements, and breakdown field measurements.


1990 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Valencia ◽  
J. P. A. Löfvander ◽  
J. Rösler ◽  
C. G. Levi ◽  
R. Mehrabian

AbstractAdditions of ∼5%B1 and ∼9%Ta to binary γ-TiAl result in the formation of a monoboride isomorphous with TiB but containing Ta in solid solution. This boride exhibits strongly anisotropic growth from the melt, producing rod-like primary phases which are of potential interest for creep strengthening of the γ matrix. Fibrous borides with aspect ratios larger than ∼20 and volume fractions of ∼0.12 have been produced in arc-melted Ti-48AI-9Ta-4.3B alloys. Creep testing at 1255 K indicates that these “in-situ” composites have much higher creep strength than γ-TiAl, but the contribution of the reinforcements is relatively small compared with the solute-strengthening of the matrix.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 7243-7254
Author(s):  
Kamil Mroz ◽  
Alessandro Battaglia ◽  
Cuong Nguyen ◽  
Andrew Heymsfield ◽  
Alain Protat ◽  
...  

Abstract. An algorithm based on triple-frequency (X, Ka, W) radar measurements that retrieves the size, water content and degree of riming of ice clouds is presented. This study exploits the potential of multi-frequency radar measurements to provide information on bulk snow density that should underpin better estimates of the snow characteristic size and content within the radar volume. The algorithm is based on Bayes' rule with riming parameterised by the “fill-in” model. The radar reflectivities are simulated with a range of scattering models corresponding to realistic snowflake shapes. The algorithm is tested on multi-frequency radar data collected during the ESA-funded Radar Snow Experiment For Future Precipitation Mission. During this campaign, in situ microphysical probes were mounted on the same aeroplane as the radars. This nearly perfectly co-located dataset of the remote and in situ measurements gives an opportunity to derive a combined multi-instrument estimate of snow microphysical properties that is used for a rigorous validation of the radar retrieval. Results suggest that the triple-frequency retrieval performs well in estimating ice water content (IWC) and mean mass-weighted diameters obtaining root-mean-square errors of 0.13 and 0.15, respectively, for log 10IWC and log 10Dm. The retrieval of the degree of riming is more challenging, and only the algorithm that uses Doppler information obtains results that are highly correlated with the in situ data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1657-1672
Author(s):  
Marvin C. Petingco ◽  
Mark E. Casada ◽  
Ronaldo G. Maghirang ◽  
Oladiran O. Fasina ◽  
Zhengpu Chen ◽  
...  

HighlightsDecreasing aspect ratio and improved geometrical smoothness of particles increased DEM-predicted bulk density of wheat.Among the three particle models, the 5-sphere ellipsoidal particle was the best option to represent wheat particles, as indicated by the simulated bulk densities that best agreed with the experiments.Among the contact parameters, the wheat-to-wheat coefficient of static friction and wheat-surface coefficient of rolling friction had the greatest influence on simulated bulk density.Abstract. The discrete element method (DEM) has been shown to be an effective tool for simulating the behavior of granular material. The accuracy of simulations depends highly on the contact models, particle physical parameters, and contact parameters used. The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of particle shape and contact parameters on simulated wheat bulk density and to develop an effective wheat particle model for DEM simulation of filling a container using EDEM software. Grain characteristics, including single-kernel weight, kernel density, kernel dimensions, aspect ratio, and bulk density, were determined for three size fractions of wheat used in the experiments. Three categories of particle models (5-sphere pseudo-ellipsoidal, 7-sphere pseudo-ellipsoidal, and ASG-generated) with varying aspect ratios and geometrical smoothness were tested in the simulations. Results showed that DEM-simulated bulk density of wheat increased with lower aspect ratio and greater geometrical smoothness of pseudo-ellipsoidal particles (7-sphere versus 5-sphere). Increasing the number of spheres to approximately 30 for better representation of wheat kernel shape, using ASG-generated particles, did not reproduce the trend of greater simulated bulk density seen in the experiments. Among the six contact parameters, the wheat-wheat coefficient of static friction and wheat-surface coefficient of rolling friction had the most significant effect on the simulated bulk density. Among the different sets of particle models, the 5-sphere pseudo-ellipsoidal particles, having aspect ratios close to that of wheat kernels in each size fraction, were found to be the most practical and appropriate particle model for use in DEM simulation of wheat bulk density. This study contributes to better understanding of the influence of particle shape and contact parameters on DEM-simulated bulk density and provides a calibrated particle model for use in simulating container filling operations. Keywords: Bulk density, Contact parameters, DEM, Particle shape, Wheat.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1772-1783
Author(s):  
Wagner Henrique Moreira ◽  
Cássio Antônio Tormena ◽  
Edner Betioli Junior ◽  
Getulio Coutinho Figueiredo ◽  
Álvaro Pires da Silva ◽  
...  

The least limiting water range (LLWR) has been used as an indicator of soil physical quality as it represents, in a single parameter, the soil physical properties directly linked to plant growth, with the exception of temperature. The usual procedure for obtaining the LLWR involves determination of the water retention curve (WRC) and the soil resistance to penetration curve (SRC) in soil samples with undisturbed structure in the laboratory. Determination of the WRC and SRC using field measurements (in situ ) is preferable, but requires appropriate instrumentation. The objective of this study was to determine the LLWR from the data collected for determination of WRC and SRC in situ using portable electronic instruments, and to compare those determinations with the ones made in the laboratory. Samples were taken from the 0.0-0.1 m layer of a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). Two methods were used for quantification of the LLWR: the traditional, with measurements made in soil samples with undisturbed structure; and in situ , with measurements of water content (θ), soil water potential (Ψ), and soil resistance to penetration (SR) through the use of sensors. The in situ measurements of θ, Ψ and SR were taken over a period of four days of soil drying. At the same time, samples with undisturbed structure were collected for determination of bulk density (BD). Due to the limitations of measurement of Ψ by tensiometer, additional determinations of θ were made with a psychrometer (in the laboratory) at the Ψ of -1500 kPa. The results show that it is possible to determine the LLWR by the θ, Ψ and SR measurements using the suggested approach and instrumentation. The quality of fit of the SRC was similar in both strategies. In contrast, the θ and Ψ in situ measurements, associated with those measured with a psychrometer, produced a better WRC description. The estimates of the LLWR were similar in both methodological strategies. The quantification of LLWR in situ can be achieved in 10 % of the time required for the traditional method.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuval Reuveni ◽  
Anton Leontiev ◽  
Dorita Rostkier-Edelstein

<p>Improving the accuracy of numerical weather predictions still poses a challenging task. The lack of sufficiently detailed spatio-temporal real-time in-situ measurements constitutes a crucial gap concerning the adequate representation of atmospheric moisture fields, such as water vapor, which are critical for improving weather predictions accuracy. Information on total vertically integrated water vapor (IWV), extracted from global positioning systems (GPS) tropospheric path delays, can enhance various atmospheric models at global, regional, and local scales. Currently, numerous existing atmospheric numerical models predict IWV. Nevertheless, they do not provide accurate estimations compared with in-situ measurements such as radiosondes. In this work, we demonstrate a novel approach for assimilating 2D IWV regional maps estimations, extracted from GPS tropospheric path delays combined with METEOSAT satellite imagery data, to enhance Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model predictions accuracy above the Eastern Mediterranean area. Unlike previous studies, which assimilated IWV point measurements, here, we assimilate quasi-continuous 2D GPS IWV maps, augmented by METEOSAT-11 data, over Israel and its surroundings. Using the suggested approach, our results show a decrease of more than 30% in the root mean square error (RMSE) of WRF forecasts after assimilation relative to the standalone WRF when verified against in-situ radiosonde measurements near the Mediterranean coast. Furthermore, substantial improvements along the Jordan Rift Valley and Dead Sea Valley areas are achieved when compared to 2D IWV regional maps. Improvements in these areas suggest the importance of the assimilated high resolution IWV maps, in particular when assimilation and initialization times coincide with the Mediterranean Sea Breeze propagation from the coastline to highland stations.</p>


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Y. Matrosov

A polarimetric radar method to estimate mean shapes of ice hydrometeors was applied to several snowfall and ice cloud events observed by operational and research weather radars. The hydrometeor shape information is described in terms of their aspect ratios, r, which represent the ratio of particle minor and major dimensions. The method is based on the relations between depolarization ratio (DR) estimates and aspect ratios. DR values, which are a proxy for circular depolarization ratio, were reconstructed from radar variables of reflectivity factor, Ze, differential reflectivity, ZDR, and copolar correlation coefficient ρhv, which are available from radar systems operating in either simultaneous or alternate transmutation of horizontally and vertically polarized signals. DR-r relations were developed for retrieving aspect ratios and their sensitivity to different assumptions and model uncertainties were discussed. To account for changing particle bulk density, which is a major contributor to the retrieval uncertainty, an approach is suggested to tune the DR-r relations using reflectivity-based estimates of characteristic hydrometeor size. The analyzed events include moderate snowfall observed by an operational S-band weather radar and a precipitating ice cloud observed by a scanning Ka-band cloud radar at an Arctic location. Uncertainties of the retrievals are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document