Exploring the surface roughness of small ice crystals by measuring high resolution angular scattering patterns.

Surface roughness of atmospheric ice particles is an important yet poorly investigated microphysical property in the context of the climate impact of cirrus and mixed-phase clouds. Measurements of single particle two-dimensional light scattering patterns have been shown to be a promising method to identify particle roughness in natural clouds. This method was applied in a laboratory study on the surface roughness properties of small ice particles that have been grown under simulated cirrus conditions.