On the Limitations of Using Polarimetric Radar Sounding to Infer the Crystal Orientation Fabric of Ice Masses

We introduce a transfer matrix model for radio-wave propagation through layered anisotropic ice that permits an arbitrary dielectric permittivity tensor in each layer. The is used to investigate how crystal orientation fabrics without vertical principal direction affect polarimetric radar returns over glaciers and sheets. By expanding the c-axis distribution terms of spherical harmonic series, we find from synthetic fabric profiles are relatively insensitive mode responsible nonvertical direction; however, only normally incident waves. Consequently, strength this might be difficult infer sheets, which turn has implications ability determine full second-order structure tensor, needed local flow regime, history, or represent directional viscosity glacier ice-flow modeling.