Optical backscatter characteristics of Arctic polar stratospheric clouds

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i004p00377· OSTI ID:5332219

Kent, G S; Schaffner, S K ^[1]; Poole, L R; McCormick, M P ^[2]; Hunt, W H ^[3]; Osborn, M T ^[4]

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1. Science and Technology Corporation, Hampton, VA (USA)
2. NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (USA)
3. Wyle Laboratories, Hampton, VA (USA)
4. ST Systems Corporation, Hampton, VA (USA)

Airborne lidar measurements have been made of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition in January-February 1989. These show the existence of a systematic relationship between the backscatter depolarization ratio, {delta}, and the (aerosol + molecular)/molecular backscatter ratio, R. The data are consistent with a two population PSC particle model. The first population consists of particles with low values for {delta} ({le} 0.02) and low to intermediate values for R ({le} 6). The second population is characterized by higher values for {delta} (up to 0.60) and R (up to 40 or greater). The relationship between {delta} and R, observed within a limited range of altitudes and latitudes, corresponds to a mixture of the two populations with variable concentrations but constant optical properties.

• OSTI ID: 5332219
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 17:4; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AEROSOLS
AIRCRAFT
ARCTIC REGIONS
BACKSCATTERING
CLIMATE MODELS
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
DEPOLARIZATION
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EQUATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTICAL RADAR
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLAR REGIONS
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
SCATTERING
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE