Special features of the extinction matrix for preferably oriented plate crystals

Within the framework of the method of physical optics, the most informative elements K₁₁, K₁₂, and K₃₄ of the extinction matrix of an ensemble of preferably oriented plate crystals are numerically investigated. The special features in the behavior of the extinction characteristics depending on the microphysical, optical, and orientation parameters of the medium are presented. It is established that the extinction has well pronounced matrix structure for large inclination angle (β > 40°) of the plane of preferred plate orientation, small dispersion of particle sizes (for the gamma-distribution parameter μ > 10), and small absorption (χ < 10^-2). Different extinction values are illustrated for identical dimensional parameters.