Design of a Shadowband Spectral Radiometer for the Retrieval of Thin Cloud Optical Depth, Liquid Water Path, and the Effective Radius

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-11-00039.1· OSTI ID:1043377

J, Bartholomew M; Reynolds, R M; Vogelmann, A M; Min, Q; Edwards, R; Smith, S

The design and operation of a Thin-Cloud Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (TCRSR) described here was used to measure the radiative intensity of the solar aureole and enable the simultaneous retrieval of cloud optical depth, drop effective radius, and liquid water path. The instrument consists of photodiode sensors positioned beneath two narrow metal bands that occult the sun by moving alternately from horizon to horizon. Measurements from the narrowband 415-nm channel were used to demonstrate a retrieval of the cloud properties of interest. With the proven operation of the relatively inexpensive TCRSR instrument, its usefulness for retrieving aerosol properties under cloud-free skies and for ship-based observations is discussed.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1043377
• Report Number(s): BNL--96142-2012-JA; KP1701000
• Journal Information: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, Journal Name: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 28; ISSN 0739-0572
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
DESIGN
PHOTODIODES
RADIOMETERS
REMOTE SENSING
SENSORS
SUN
WATER