Propagation through a dispersion of model particles with non-random distribution of their orientations

The orientational distribution of the constituent particles is known to be effective in determining the macroscopic optical properties of a dispersion. Since the quantitative effect of a given orientational distribution requires calculating the ensemble average over the particles concerned, we examine several cases of orientational distributions that allow for the analytical calculation of the aver ages of interest. Explicit formulas are given and applied to the calculation of the transmitted and backscattered intensity from a dispersion of model particles suitable to simulate the optical behavior of the ice microcrystals that form e. g. the cirruses. This application may be useful to assess the extent to which the ice microcrystals contribute to the greenhouse effect.