Title: Detection of preferential particle orientation in the atmosphere. Development of an alternative polarization lidar system

Abstract

Increasing interest in polarimetric characterization of atmospheric aerosols has led to the development of complete sample-measuring (Mueller) polarimeters that are capable of measuring the entire backscattering phase matrix of a probed volume. The Mueller polarimeters consist of several moving parts, which limit measurement rates and complicate data analysis. In this paper, we present the concept of a less complex polarization lidar setup for detection of preferential orientation of atmospheric particulates. On the basis of theoretical considerations of data inversion stability and propagation of measurement uncertainties, an optimum optical configuration is established for two modes of operation (with either a linear or a circular polarized incident laser beam). We discovered that the conceptualized setup falls in the category of incomplete sample-measuring polarimeters and uses four detection channels for simultaneous measurement of the backscattered light. Likewise, the expected performance characteristics are discussed through an example of a typical aerosol with a small fraction of particles oriented in a preferred direction. As a result, the theoretical analysis suggests that achievable accuracies in backscatter cross-sections and depolarization ratios are similar to those with conventional two-channel configurations, while in addition preferential orientation can be detected with the proposed four-channel system for a wide range ofmore » conditions.« less

Authors:

Geier, Manfred ^[1]; Arienti, Marco ^[1]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

Publication Date:

Sat Jul 19 00:00:00 EDT 2014

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:

1143158

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1556567

Report Number(s):

SAND-2014-3590J
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-4073; PII: S0022407314003161

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 149; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-4073

Publisher:

Elsevier

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; light scattering; remote sensing; Lidar; polarization; aerosol