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Radiation-induced orientation of atmospheric aerosols

Journal Article · · Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part A: Optics and Image Science; (United States)
 [1]
  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO (United States)
A theoretical model is presented for computing the radiation-induced orientation of nonspherical particles in the atmosphere. This process is examined as a possible remote-sensing technique for determining size and shape characteristics of atmospheric aerosols. The theoretical model is applied to cirrus particles modeled as prolate dielectric spheroids. The radiation-induced perturbations in the average tip angle of the spheroids and in the backscattered depolarization ratio are computed for an assumed radiation flux of 5 mJ/cm{sup 2} for three different wavelengths. The computed perturbations are found to be approximately 30-40 dB down from the corresponding unperturbed values and appear marginally detectable by ground-based lidars.
OSTI ID:
7206622
Journal Information:
Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part A: Optics and Image Science; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part A: Optics and Image Science; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN 0740-3232; ISSN JOAOD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English