Models of aerosols, clouds, and precipitation for atmospheric propagation studies

A number of models are reviewed for the atmospheric aerosols, clouds, and precipitation and their effects on the propagation of electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths from the ultraviolet through the microwave spectral regions. The focus is on the models developed at AFGL and elsewhere primarily for use in the atmospheric propagation models LOWTRAN (Kneizys et al., 1983 and 1988) and FASCODE (Clough et al., 1986), but also examines other particulate models. The scattering and absorption properties of the different particulate models are presented. Applications of the various models are discussed with recommendations on when it is most appropriate to use which aerosol or cloud model. Sensitivities of calculated transmittances and background radiances to the different types of particulate models are examined for a range of wavelengths.