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

Journal Article · · Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer
 [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

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 of conditions.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1143158
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1556567
Report Number(s):
SAND-2014-3590J; PII: S0022407314003161
Journal Information:
Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, Vol. 149, Issue C; ISSN 0022-4073
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 11 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

The influence of dust optical properties on the colour of simulated MSG-SEVIRI Desert Dust infrared imagery journal January 2018