The modeling of CO sub 2 lidar backscatter from stratospheric aerosols
- Science and Technology Corp., Hampton, VA (USA)
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (USA)
Stratospheric aerosol properties, measurement techniques, and long-term data sets are reviewed in the context of the modeling of aerosol characteristics at CO{sub 2} laser wavelengths. The techniques for modeling infrared scattering characteristic, both from in situ particle size distribution measurements and from remote optical measurements at other wavelengths, are summarized, and the problems associated with this modeling are discussed. Calculations based on measured size distributions show the backscatter coefficient at wavelength 10.6 {mu}m, {beta}{sub 10.6}, to vary by a factor of the order of 100 between background and immediate postvolcanic conditions. The calculated value may also be quite dependent upon the scheme used to interpolate the number concentration between the measured particle radii. The ratio of backscattering at 10.6 {mu}m to that at 0.694 {mu}m, {beta}{sub 10.6}/{beta}{sub 0.69}, was found to vary by a factor of 5 for the same range of particle size distributions. A description is given of the rather limited amount of modeling at CO{sub 2} laser wavelengths and of data intercomparisons that have been published. A comparison of measured backscattering coefficients at 10.6 {mu}m with those modeled from shorter wavelengths shows agreement within a factor of 2 or better. Areas of disagreement and uncertainty are identified together with the requirements for improving our knowledge of CO{sub 2} laser backscattering from stratospheric aerosols.
- OSTI ID:
- 5457962
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 96:D3; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
BACKSCATTERING
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAS LASERS
INFRARED RADIATION
LASERS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL RADAR
PARTICLE SIZE
RADAR
RADIATIONS
RANGE FINDERS
SCATTERING
SIZE
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
VOLCANOES
WAVELENGTHS