Explaining the dielectric properties of firn as a density-and-conductivity mixed permittivity (DECOMP)
The relative dielectric permittivity (RP) of mixtures can be calculated to good approximation by composing its constituents' cubic roots of RP by volume fraction (VF). This is even true for RP's complex continuation, which also treats the conductivity of the material. Firn is a mixture of ice and air. The DECOMP formula links the RP of the ice and its VF, with the RP of the firn. The inversion of the formula is, for most practical applications, possible; the density of firn as well as the ice's RP can then be determined with high spatial resolution from dielectric profiling measurements (DEP) alone. If the ice phase's density and the real component of RP are a constant material property the inversion is feasible. This paper gives an example for numerical inversion of complex-valued dielectric mixing formulae for some known material properties, which is applicable to other composites as well. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.
Helmholtz Research Programs > MARCOPOLI (2004-2008) > POL6-Earth climate variability since the Pliocene
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